Heavyweight entries revealed for King George VI Chase and Betfair Chase - but two notable big guns missing from Kempton

Il Est Francais and Hewick, who both produced sparkling performances at Kempton last Christmas, could go head-to-head in next month’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase after featuring among 24 entries for the race.

Il Est Francais was a runaway winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase an hour before Hewick thundered home late to run down previous winner Bravemansgame and land the King George under a jubilant Gavin Sheehan.

Il Est Francais had shared favouritism for the King George alongside Fastorslow with Fact To File just behind the pair in the ante-post market. However, neither Fastorslow nor Fact To File, who both hold entries in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on November 24, were entered for Kempton.

Fourteen of the 24 entries are trained in Ireland, including dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior, with two further entries from France. Last year, 13 of the 19 entries were trained in Britain while in 2022, 12 of the 18 entries were British.

Gaelic Warrior: one of eight King George entries for Willie MullinsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Among the eight British-trained entries are Bravemansgame, Grey Dawning and Ahoy Senor, who also feature in the entries for the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock this month.

Hewick could take in the Betfair Chase on November 23 on his way to Kempton with the race potentially being his final opportunity to run for Shark Hanlon in a major race until next year with the trainer’s six-month ban beginning on December 1.

Royale Pagaille and Protektorat, the two most recent winners of the Betfair Chase, are also among the entries for the contest as are Cheltenham Festival winners Limerick Lace and Corbetts Cross. 

Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: ‘’It’s the strongest set of entries I can remember, and befitting for the 20th running of the UK’s first Grade 1 of the National Hunt season that so many quality horses are being considered for the race."

King George VI Chase entries (December 26, Kempton)

• Ahoy Senor Lucinda Russell
• Banbridge Joseph O'Brien
• Blue Lord Willie Mullins
• Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls
• Capodanno Willie Mullins
• Corbetts Cross Emmet Mullins
• Envoi Allen Henry de Bromhead
• Ferny Hollow Willie Mullins
• Found A Fifty Gordon Elliott
• Ga Law Jamie Snowden
• Gaelic Warrior Willie Mullins
• Galopin Des Champs Willie Mullins
• General En Chef Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
• Ginny’s Destiny Paul Nicholls
• Grangeclare West Willie Mullins
• Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
• Hewick Shark Hanlon
• Il Est Francais Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
• Il Etait Temps Willie Mullins
• Jungle Boogie Henry de Bromhead
• L’Homme Presse Venetia Williams
• Minella Cocooner Willie Mullins
• Protektorat Dan Skelton
• Royale Pagaille Venetia Williams

Coral: 7-2 Il Est Francais, 11-2 Gaelic Warrior, 8 Galopin Des Champs, 12 Banbridge, Il Etait Temps, Protektorat, 14 Grey Dawning, Hewick, 16 Capodanno, Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen, Ginny’s Destiny, Grangeclare West, 20 Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame, 25 bar

Betfair Chase entries (November 23, Haydock)

• Ahoy Senor Lucinda Russell
• Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls
• Chianti Classico Kim Bailey
• Corbetts Cross Emmet Mullins
• General En Chef Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
• Gentlemansgame Mouse Morris
• Ginny’s Destiny Paul Nicholls
• Gold Tweet Gabriel Leenders
• Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
• Hewick Shark Hanlon
• Hitman Paul Nicholls
• Il Est Francais Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
• Limerick Lace Gavin Cromwell
• Minella Drama Donald McCain
• Protektorat Dan Skelton
• Royal Pagaille Venetia Williams
• Sam Brown Anthony Honeyball
• The Real Whacker Patrick Neville

Betfair: 15-8 Grey Dawning, 9-2 Corbetts Cross, 6 Ahoy Senor, 7 Royale Pagaille, 8 Hewick, Il Est Francais, 10 Bravemansgame, 14 Ginny's Destiny, Protektorat, 16 bar

Read more:

'We'll have him prepared best we can' - Dan Skelton not afraid of heading straight to Betfair Chase with Grey Dawning 'We'll have him prepared best we can' - Dan Skelton not afraid of heading straight to Betfair Chase with Grey Dawning 

'It might be worth having another go' - Henry de Bromhead pondering King George bid with Envoi Allen 'It might be worth having another go' - Henry de Bromhead pondering King George bid with Envoi Allen 

'He seems to be the horse to beat' - King George favourite Il Est Francais back on track after Auteuil success'He seems to be the horse to beat' - King George favourite Il Est Francais back on track after Auteuil success

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