What is the state of play in an unpredictable King George now Gaelic Warrior is out?

Ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior did not feature among 16 acceptors on Tuesday for the King George VI Chase (2.30) at Kempton on Boxing Day and his absence has thrown the market wide open for the Grade 1 Boxing Day spectacular. Here we look at the main protagonists . . .

Corbetts Cross

Form: 2F13-2

Odds: 4-1

Atoned for running out when still bang in contention at the final flight of the 2023 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle when winning at last season's festival in the National Hunt Chase, cantering into the lead in a first-time hood before streaking clear for a 17-length victory. On Racing Post Ratings he bettered that performance in defeat when third in the following month's Aintree Bowl and he is entitled to strip fitter for a recent Wexford second when attempting to concede 15lb to the useful Heart Wood. 

Corbetts Cross14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Emmet Mullins

Envoi Allen

Form: 3224-1

Odds: 4-1

Gained his 16th win, and ninth at Grade 1 level, when fending off Hewick to land the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal this month. That victory produced a joint-career-best RPR of 167, which suggests that despite rising 11 he remains somewhere close to the top of his game. Goes well fresh, so the 54-day break between Down Royal and Kempton is of no concern, but he finished a disappointing seventh of nine when sent off the 4-1 third favourite for this race in 2022.

Envoi Allen14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

L'Homme Presse

Form: 1U/124-

Odds: 7-1

Has not stood much racing since winning the 2022 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, but he was still in contention, although likely booked for second, when overjumping and unseating his rider shortly after the final fence in this race in 2022. Missed the whole of 2023 before reappearing with a victory over subsequent Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield in January. Not disgraced in the Ascot Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup subsequently but has another absence to overcome.

L'Homme Presse14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Venetia Williams

Hewick

Form: 6-3232

Odds: 8-1

Galway Plate and American Grand National winner who produced a career-defining performance when coming from last to first to land this race last year. Has not added to his tally in five subsequent runs but has performed admirably in defeat in the Punchestown Gold Cup, French Champion Hurdle and most recently when runner-up to Envoi Allen at Down Royal. Bypassed last weekend's Betfair Chase on account of the soft ground, but should get his conditions here and it is arguably a weaker running of the King George compared to last year.

Hewick14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: John Joseph Hanlon

Il Est Francais

Form: 115-1P

Odds: 8-1

Produced a hugely exciting performance when bolting up in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase on this card 12 months ago, a race that is often viewed as a good pointer to the following year's King George. It has been far from smooth sailing since, however, with a Grade 3 win at Auteuil in September sandwiched between two no-shows when last of five in a Grade 2 and, most recently, when pulled up in a Grade 1 at Auteuil. It's difficult to know what to expect.

Il Est Francais14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Who could be supplemented?

Fastorslow: would likely assume favouritism for the King George should he be supplementedCredit: Caroline Norris

Trainer Martin Brassil revealed on Tuesday that he is considering supplementing stable star Fastorslow for the King George. The eight-year-old is a three-time Grade 1 winner who finished fourth in the John Durkan Memorial Chase over 2m3½f at Punchestown on Sunday. He should appreciate stepping back up to three miles and this track also promises to suit.

Another possible supplementary is Spillane's Tower, who finished six lengths and two places ahead of Fastorslow when chasing home Fact To File on Sunday. Jimmy Mangan's six-year-old racked up four wins over fences last season at distances from 2m to 3m1f.

What about the remainder?

Saturday's Betfair Chase one-two Royale Pagaille and Grey Dawning could clash again here if the race does not come too quickly after their Haydock exertions.

Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge has not raced beyond 2m4½f since disappointing as favourite in the 2022 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree but won the Silviniaco Conti Chase at this track in January before taking the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Punchestown in April. However, he needs to bounce back from a modest comeback run in the Fortria Chase at Navan this month.

Bravemansgame won this race impressively in 2022 before chasing home Hewick last season. He has failed to match that form in four subsequent runs, though, and his recent performances suggest he is now up against it at this level.

Verdict

Envoi Allen warrants respect but it is a concern that he struggled in this race in 2022. Corbetts Cross is entitled to strip fitter for a reappearance second at Wexford and retains potential over fences, but, following the news that he could be supplemented for this prize, Fastorslow is the one who gets the nod. Martin Brassil's eight-year-old shapes as though this track and trip will suit, while he tends to save his best form for a sound surface. Fellow Irish challenger Banbridge is no forlorn hope with a course win to his name and is one who could go well at a bigger price.

King George VI Chase (2.30 Kempton, December 26)
Paddy Power: 4 Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen, 6 Fastorslow (needs to be supplemented), Spillane's Tower (needs to be supplemented), 7 L'Homme Presse, Hewick, 8 Grey Dawning, 12 Il Est Francais, Royale Pagaille, 14 Banbridge, 16 Bravemansgame, Found A Fifty, 20 Protektorat, 25 Jungle Boogie, 40 Ahoy Senor, 50 Ginny's Destiny, Ga Law, 66 General En Chef

Read these next:

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Emmet Mullins eyeing King George tilt for runaway Cheltenham Festival winner Corbetts Cross 

Fastorslow could be added to wide-open King George after Willie Mullins withdrawals cause ante-post shake-up 

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