2022 King George VI Chase at Kempton: the runners, the odds, the verdict

A top-quality field of nine will go to post for the King George VI Chase (2.30) on Boxing Day, with five Grade 1 winners making the Christmas championship a must-see spectacle. But who will come out on top at Kempton?

Get the full King George VI Chase lowdown from our expert team.

2.30 Kempton Monday: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase racecard

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1 Ahoy Senor

Classy front-runner but no match for Bravemansgame over course and distance last Christmas

Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Derek Fox
Forecast odds: 16-1

2 Bravemansgame

Major chasing talent; impressive over course and distance last Christmas and on reappearance; big chance

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Forecast odds: 15-8

3 Eldorado Allen

No match for Bravemansgame at Wetherby in October and this looks a mighty task

Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Forecast odds: 25-1

4 Envoi Allen

Unbeaten for three years at one stage; suited by 3m latest; may have more to come at the trip

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Forecast odds: 13-2

5 Frodon

Won this in 2020; excuse for defeat in 2021; still very capable; bold show not ruled out

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Forecast odds: 16-1

6 Hitman

Smart up to about 2m5f; stamina to prove over new trip but still an intriguing runner

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Forecast odds: 11-2

7 L'Homme Presse

6-7 over fences, all on stiffish tracks; new challenge here; could rise even further

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Forecast odds: 15-8

8 Millers Bank

Useful course form; won Grade 1 over 2m4f at Aintree; has tendency to unseat

Trainer: Alex Hales
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Forecast odds: 40-1

9 Royale Pagaille

High-class performer when conditions are testing but off since April; yard's second string

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Forecast odds: 16-1

The verdict

L'Homme Presse continues to improve but Bravemansgame is going great guns too and his course-and-distance form swings things in his favour.

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Introducing the ITV Racing Christmas Festival

The ITV Racing Christmas Festival features six days of top-class action on the channel from 12 different tracks in Britain and Ireland between December 26 and January 1.

Some 41 live races will be shown in all, including eight Grade 1s such as the King George VI Chase, with the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham's New Year's Day card among the big-race highlights across a spectacular six days of racing on terrestrial television across the festive period.