Confirmed runners and riders for the King George VI Chase at Kempton

Spillane's Tower heads a strong Irish challenge for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) after a final field of 11 – the biggest in the race for 15 years – was confirmed for the Boxing Day highlight at Kempton.

Jimmy Mangan's stable star has topped the betting since being supplemented last week and will be ridden by JP McManus's retained rider Mark Walsh, with top amateur Derek O'Connor on the owner's other runner Corbetts Cross.

Walsh was aboard the victorious Fact To File when Spillane's Tower finished second in last month's John Durkan Memorial Chase under Jack Kennedy, but partnered the two-time Grade 1 winner in all his starts last season.

O'Connor rode Corbetts Cross when the Emmet Mullins-trained seven-year-old won last season's National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Banbridge, who will have the services of Paul Townend, and Envoi Allen are other leading King George contenders from Ireland, although last year's winner Hewick will not be travelling over.

The Kempton showpiece has stayed at home for all bar two of the last 18 years and Grey Dawning is Britain's main hope this time.

Second in last month's Betfair Chase, the Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old leads a four-strong British team made up of 2022 winner Bravemansgame, L'Homme Presse and The Real Whacker.

Il Est Francais, winner of last year's Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and a notable market positive in recent days, is the star in the French team, supported by Juntos Ganamos and General En Chef.

The wide-open nature of the race is highlighted by the fact it has attracted its largest field since 2009 when 13 runners went to post.

As well as Hewick, there were two other absentees at Monday's final declaration stage with Royal Pagaille, who was ruled out on Saturday with a "minor issue", and Ahoy Senor missing out.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30 Kempton, Thursday, December 26)

Coral: 7-2 Il Est Francais, Spillane’s Tower, 9-2 Grey Dawning, 6 Banbridge, 11 L’Homme Presse, Corbetts Cross, 12 Envoi Allen, 18 The Real Whacker, 20 Bravemansgame, Juntos Ganamos, 66 General En Chef

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King George VI Chase confirmed runners and riders

• Banbridge Paul Townend
• Bravemansgame Harry Cobden
• Corbetts Cross Derek O'Connor
• Envoi Allen Rachael Blackmore
• General En Chef Benjamin Gelhay
• Grey Dawning Harry Skelton
• Il Est Francais James Reveley
• Juntos Ganamos Felix de Giles
• L'Homme Presse Charlie Deutsch
• Spillane's Tower Mark Walsh
• The Real Whacker Gavin Sheehan

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