2024 King George VI Chase runners, tips and ratings: David Jennings' pinstickers guide
A field of 11 runners will go to post for the 2024 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Thursday, but who will come out on top in the festive highlight? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring top quotes and star ratings for the big race live on ITV at 2.30 . . .
1 Banbridge
DJ's view: Untried (apart from running a shocker in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree years ago) over 3m and completely unexposed as a staying chaser. The consensus seems to be that he will stay, but he will need to see out every yard to win this. He might well do, and he might win, but 5-1 seems on the skimpy side with such a big stamina question hanging over him.
Trainer's view: Joseph O'Brien: "He's prepared well for it and conditions should suit him at Kempton. Hopefully if he gets a good trip in his run and gets the distance, he'll have a live each-way chance."
Star rating: ***
2 Bravemansgame
DJ's view: He's like that ex you just can't get out of your head and let go of. You know you shouldn't be thinking about her at 3am after a feed of pints, and you know you definitely shouldn't be texting them, but there is an inner voice telling you maybe it might work this time. Maybe this time will be different. It won't. Don't do it. Having said that, I think he could finish in the first four or five.
Trainer's view: Paul Nicholls: "The ground will suit him well and he loves Kempton. He's in good shape and I couldn't be more pleased with the way he is."
Star rating: **
3 Corbetts Cross
DJ's view: Dangerous. Looked like Arazi coming up the hill in the final National Hunt Chase in its old form and what a run that was behind seasoned campaigners Gerri Colombe and Ahoy Senor in the Bowl at Aintree. His return at Wexford was subdued, but recent vibes are good. Big, big chance.
Trainer's view: Emmet Mullins: "We’d provisionally thought about the Betfair Chase but going into a Grade 1 race you have to be 100 per cent and even with the Wexford run, it didn’t bring us on enough. The extra few weeks was a help and I think we’re nearly there now."
Star rating: ****
4 Envoi Allen
DJ's view: The most underrated and underappreciated horse in training. And, you know what I'm going to do? Underrate him and underappreciate him. Did you know he's won 16 races? Bonkers. And, nine of them have been Grade 1s. Mental. But I keep coming back to this very race two years ago when he was hammered into 4-1 but ran an absolute stinker. I can't get that out of my head. Sorry, Envoi. It's about time people started appreciating you, isn't it?
Trainer's view: Henry de Bromhead: "We’re very happy. Everything has gone smoothly since Down Royal and he goes over there in great from. It's a very open race but hopefully he can bring his best form to the table."
Star rating: **
5 General En Chef
DJ's view: The only thing I definitely know about the 2024 King George is that General En Chef won't win it. That's not to say he's not a good horse, he is, and he will win plenty more races, but this sort of stuff is above his pay grade.
Trainer's view: Noel George: "We’re going to drop him in, we know it’s going to be an end-to-end gallop and it’s an easier finish than at Newbury. I think he’s got a good place chance."
Star rating: *
6 Grey Dawning
DJ's view: The final Turners Novices' Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival. Won the concluding handicap hurdle on this very card two years ago so the track shouldn't pose any problems. The King George should be right up his street and the way he travelled through the Betfair Chase (traded at 1.06 on Betfair in running) suggests he is very much in his comfort zone in open company. If the war of attrition at Haydock hasn't taken its toll, he could be the one.
Trainer's view: Dan Skelton: "I just think he's really good and wouldn’t swap him for anything. I'm confident he can improve again."
Star rating: *****
7 Il Est Francais
DJ's view: He's the Hokey Cokey these days – in, out, in, out. Will he shake it all about on the biggest day of all? I'm not so sure. While visually awesome, the form of his Kauto Star Novices' Chase win on this card last year didn't actually amount to that much. He's got a lot of questions to answer after his recent Auteuil aberration and he's only 5-1 to get them all correct. Not for me.
Trainer's view: Noel George: "I think physically he’s improved since last year. Obviously we’re not coming in with the perfect preparation but if it goes the way it did last year, and with no health problems, I think he’ll be very difficult to beat."
Star rating: **
8 Juntos Ganamos
DJ's view: Another French visitor. I don't know about you, but when Il Est Francais bombed out in the Prix la Haye Jousselin last month, didn't you think the race was Juntos Ganamos's for the taking? He didn't take it and I was underwhelmed. He might be better than that, but he will need to be.
Trainer's view: David Cottin: "I think he’s a very good horse with a lot of class. He can be held up or he can run up with the pace, while he is indifferent to ground conditions. Like all real champions, he’s adaptable. He’s only ever known Auteuil and I can’t wait to see him run in this race."
Star rating: **
9 L'Homme Presse
DJ's view: The ground is putting me off. But for the conditions, he would have been the call. Sent off favourite for this two years ago and was beaten when coming down at the last. Cracking effort in last season's Gold Cup, though, and has a fabulous record when fresh. The Williams camp continues in cracking form, so what's not to like? The ground. If only it had rained more, double digits would have been a sight for sore eyes. Can still go very close despite the lack of precipitation.
Trainer's view: Venetia Williams: "I’m happy with him. It’s not always plain sailing with him but I’m happy he’s ready to go there. He’ll still take his chance but rain would have been helpful."
Star rating: ****
10 Spillane's Tower
DJ's view: The new kid on the block. Came of age when just denied by Fact To File in the John Durkan. That is top-class form and the step up in trip is no cause for concern. Connections have been at pains to tell us he needs soft ground to be at his best, though, despite the fact he won a Grade 1 at Punchestown last spring on yielding ground. Big player, but is he value at 7-2?
Trainer's view: Jimmy Mangan: "He came out of Punchestown great and it’s brought him on plenty so there’ll be no excuses."
Star rating: ***
11 The Real Whacker
DJ's view: Burnt plenty of wallets when sticking his neck out to beat Gerri Colombe in the 2023 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham. Has been hot and cold since, but was red-hot when dominating the Charlie Hall. Looks sure to be pestered up front here and others make more appeal. I've said that before about him, though.
Trainer's view: Patrick Neville: "He's in great form and all his work has been grand. He came out of Wetherby really well and we only took him out of Haydock because it got too soft. He ran a good race last year, but I feel we've got him in far better shape this time. We couldn't be happier and hope the ground continues to dry out."
Star rating: **
DJ's King George VI Chase verdict: 1-2-3 prediction
1 Grey Dawning
2 Corbetts Cross
3 L'Homme Presse
King George VI Chase betting
Ladbrokes: 7-2 Spillane's Tower, 4 Il Est Francais, 5 Banbridge, Grey Dawning, 9 L'Homme Presse, 12 Envoi Allen, 14 Corbetts Cross, 16 Bravemansgame, 20 Juntos Ganamos, The Real Whacker, 40 General En Chef.
Read more . . .
It's a very modern King George, and here is why you should go against the story
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