King George VI Chase 2025 Runners: A guide to the eight hopefuls

A final field of eight - and a stellar one at that - has been declared for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day (14:30).

I've produced a guide to the King George VI Chase 2025 Runners, including the odds at time of publication and a brief assessment of their chances.

Gaelic Warrior (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) @ 5/2

On the other side of the argument I'm about to make for Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior did all the donkey work out in front and still outstayed his stablemate in the John Durkan last month. He's won an Arkle over two miles, the Aintree Bowl over 3m1f and now over 2m3f at the highest level. A serious operator on his day - he is prone to having an off day - who's at his best going right-handed, he too has outstanding claims for the Champion Trainer.

Fact To File (Willie Mullins/Mark Walsh) @ 11/4

A two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, bolting up in the Ryanair this March, who was just touched off by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan. For me, the runner-up was given a bit too much to do at Punchestown, so it's not hard to see him reversing the form here. Huge chance of becoming legendary owner JP McManus' first-ever King George winner.

Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) @ 11/4

Jango all the way? Oh what fun it must be to ride this Arkle winner, who looked better than ever in winning the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month by a widening nine lengths. He's got just shy of 10lbs to find on the Mullins pair on official ratings, but the six-year-old - who's having his second run after a wind operation - is the runner with the most scope and there's every chance he'll be even better over three miles for the first time. Big chance.

The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) @ 6/1

I love The Jukebox Man. Owned by Harry Redknapp, the seven-year-old was runner-up in the 2024 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and then nine months later won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase over the King George course and distance. He returned from a lengthy layoff to win a graduation chase at Haydock on Betfair Chase day in good style. He's probably the best jumper in the race, and that might keep him in it for a long time, but as the ratings suggest I expect him to be outclassed at the business end.

Djelo (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 14/1

Arguably the most underrated runner in the field. Only seven years old, despite the feeling he's been around forever, and in the form of his life, winning a couple of Grade 2s - the Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chase - in two starts this season. Needs to step forward again, but that's entirely possible. Definite each-way claims.

Banbridge (Joseph O'Brien/Sean Bowen) @ 16/1

The fact Banbridge, last year's winner, is 16/1 says everything you need to know about the quality of this renewal. Joseph O'Brien's nine-year-old was superb under Paul Townend 12 months ago and Sean Bowen is another superb booking. He's rising 10, though, and his run in the Hilly Way earlier this month was nowhere near as good as his one last year. Bit on his plate.

Il Est Francais (Tom George/Harry Cobden) @ 18/1

Will the real Il Est Francais please stand up? After the seven-year-old, who'd been ripping up trees in France, won the 2023 Kauto Star, the racing world thought he was the second coming. Kauto reincarnated. He came into the King George the following year with questions to answer, and he did to an extent, finishing runner-up to Banbridge. More is needed and he's been poor in three of four runs since. If he gives his best, he's a fine each-way bet given the expectation Harry Cobden will try and make all, but I find it hard to trust him.

Master Chewy (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) @ 125/1

The rank outsider of the field. Boasts a few bits of strong form, but he's got loads to find in this company. Was beaten 53 lengths by Jango Baie last time out and 22 lengths adrift of  Fact To File in the Ryanair. Hard to advise.

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