2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton: the runners, the odds, the verdict

We have a Boxing Day cracker in store at Kempton as the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) takes centre stage. Will Allaho produce his brilliant best or can home challengers Bravemansgame or Shishkin prove up to the challenge? Here's everything you need to know about the big race.

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2023 King George VI Chase: the full list of horses for Kempton

1 Allaho

Won the 2m4f Ryanair Chase for the second consecutive season in March 2022 and easily followed up in the Punchestown Gold Cup that April (his first 3m Grade 1 win); a long absence followed until last month, when he comfortably won the three-runner 2m4f Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase; that latest performance isn't definitive confirmation that he retains all of his old, brilliant ability, but he will be tough to beat if at his best.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Forecast odds: 13-8

Allaho14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

2 Bravemansgame

Triumphed in this race last year on the back of a reappearance win in the Charlie Hall, and he was a highly creditable second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March; not at his very best when runner-up on his two runs this term, in the Charlie Hall then the Betfair Chase, and he needs to raise his game, but he's a major player if rediscovering last season's peak form.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Forecast odds: 2-1

Bravemansgame14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

3 Frodon

Made all in this race in 2020; fourth in 2021 and third in 2022 (soundly beaten each time); showed last season that he retains considerable spark and he could improve for last month's reappearance third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, but it's highly likely that this 11yo is vulnerable today.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Forecast odds: 40-1

Frodon14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Bryony Frost Tnr: Paul Nicholls

4 Hewick

To win this he needs some of the big names to underperform but that's entirely possible; ran a fine race (albeit looking beaten when falling two out) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, on soft ground that may not have been ideal, and he powered clear in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (2m6f, good to soft) in April; has had a break since finishing well beaten in the Galway Plate in August; interesting contender under jockey-of-the-moment Gavin Sheehan.

Trainer: Shark Hanlon
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Forecast odds: 14-1

Hewick14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: John Joseph Hanlon

5 Shishkin

Has become somewhat enigmatic nowadays and refused to race in first-time cheekpieces at Ascot on last month's reappearance (no headgear today); however, he won his sixth Grade 1 when responding to pressure and leading after the final fence in the 3m1f Aintree Bowl in April, on his first crack at a staying trip under rules, and he's capable of having a big say if on his best behaviour.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Forecast odds: 7-2

Shishkin14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

6 The Real Whacker

All four chase starts have been at Cheltenham; won the first two (3m/2m4f, good/soft) before narrowly making all in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (3m, soft) in March; pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on last month's return but may have needed the run and he's well worth a second look now back up in trip, being the only horse to have beaten leading Gold Cup candidate Gerri Colombe (in the Brown Advisory).

Trainer: Patrick Neville
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Forecast odds: 9-1

The Real Whacker14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Sam Twiston-Davies Tnr: Patrick Neville

Verdict: our top King George VI Chase betting tip

By Ben Hutton

This clash between Allaho, Bravemansgame and Shishkin will be an absolute cracker - if they are at their best. Two-time Ryanair winner Allaho appears to have proved his stamina for 3m and plenty of encouragement can be taken from last month's Grade 2 Clonmel Oil win, which was his first run since April 2022. However, it remains to be seen whether he retains all of his brilliant ability, while last year's winner Bravemansgame hasn't fired on all cylinders on his two runs this season and Shishkin refused to race at Ascot last month. It may therefore pay to look elsewhere and preference is for Hewick, who was running really well in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup until falling two out, on soft ground which probably wasn't ideal. The Real Whacker is not ruled out but Allaho is second choice.

Hewick14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: John Joseph Hanlon

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Confirmed runners and riders for the King George VI Chase at Kempton - plus a big-race tip and free bet 

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