'He is being vastly underestimated' - why this horse can win the King George VI Chase at Kempton

The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30, December 26) is shaping up to be a deep and fascinating contest as a slew of Grade 1 winners prepare to descend on Kempton on Boxing Day. Will Bravemansgame defend his crown or can Irish challengers Allaho and Gerri Colombe spoil his party? Can Shishkin bounce back after refusing to race at Ascot? Will Royale Pagaille back up his Betfair Chase heroics? Some of our tipsters and reporters attempt to break down a wide-open race . . .

Bravemansgame

Best odds: 5-2

By James Hill, tipster

Of the front three in the market I’m with Bravemansgame. I see there’s been a bit of money for Allaho, but he looked properly rusty on his reappearance at Clonmel, and his success at Punchestown last year is starting to feel an awfully long time ago.

Kempton’s all about jumping and that’s where Bravemansgame scores high and why Paul Nicholls is the best in this race – his chasers all jump so well.

I’m going to take Bravemansgame to leave this season’s form behind and win the race again. Maybe have a saver on Royale Pagaille, who’s clearly where the value lies. He ran well when second in the race last year but will probably need it to rain and rain some more.

Bravemansgame14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Shishkin

Best odds: 11-2

By Richard Birch

There are question marks against the names of nearly all the runners towards the top of the King George market. Arguably the biggest one of all is next to Shishkin, who dug his heels in and refused to race at Ascot last month.

You couldn’t rule out the possibility of him doing so again, but it’s not as if he’s the 2-1 favourite and I’d rather back him than either of the shorter-priced duo Allaho and Bravemansgame.

Nobody can dispute an on-song Shishkin is a champion, and this race has been his main target from day one of the 2023-24 season. Three miles round Kempton looks ideal at this stage of his career.

By Harry Wilson

Shishkin is being vastly underestimated here, largely down to the fact he refused to race when tried in cheekpieces in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month, but he’s very capable of running a big race after a layoff (he’s won off 258- and 261-day breaks at Kempton before).

He would have won three Grade 1s last season but for a bad mistake in the Ryanair Chase, and the form of his 16-length Ascot Chase romp was firmly franked when the second and third filled the first two places in the Marsh Chase at Aintree. He’s 4-4 at the track, still has untapped potential as a stayer, and has the perfect blend of speed and stamina needed to meet the demands of the King George.

Shishkin14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Nicky Henderson

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The Real Whacker

Best odds: 8-1

By Maddy Playle

He's something of a forgotten horse because he was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but The Real Whacker was injured on that occasion and deserves to be forgiven.

His defeat of Gerri Colombe and I Am Maximus in the Brown Advisory in March now reads exceptionally well and his bold-jumping, front-running style should serve him especially well in this race, which is often won by similar types.

The Real Whacker14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Patrick Neville

Royale Pagaille

Best odds: 10-1

By Sam Hendry

Many of the market principals have questions to answer. Bravemansgame has looked sluggish in his two starts this season, Allaho still has to prove he retains his ability after missing a lengthy spell out injured, Gerri Colombe is no longer travelling and Shishkin's travails in the build-up have been well documented. Will he even start?

The most reliable option to me – particularly at the prices – looks to be Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille. The average Racing Post Rating of the King George winner in the last decade is 174.4. Royale Pagaille ran to a career-best 174 at Haydock so doesn't have much more to find.

He has to prove he can peak away from his beloved Haydock but if he can confirm form with Bravemansgame that may be enough.

Royale Pagaille14:30 Kempton

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Jky: Tnr: Venetia Williams

Claim £40 in free bets with Betfair for the King George VI Chase

Betfair are offering £40 in free bets for the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton this Christmas.

You can follow these simple steps outlined below to grab £40 in free bets to place on the big race. It's fast, secure and straightforward.

1. Head over to Betfair through this link and click the 'Join' button on their homepage
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4. You will be rewarded with £40 of free bet tokens added to your balance

Betfair betting sign-up offer: terms and conditions

It's worth taking a few minutes to read through the terms and conditions associated with the new player promotion before signing up. Doing so will help you get a better grasp of the details of the King George betting offer and what's expected of you as a new player.

• New customer offer
• Place a minimum £10 bet on horse racing at odds of minimum Evs (2.0) and get £40 in free bets
• Rewards valid for 30 days and can be used on horse racing multiples only
• Only deposits via cards will qualify
• T&Cs apply
• Please gamble responsibly

Read these next:

Gerri Colombe to skip King George in favour of blockbuster showdown with Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown 

2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton: assessing the top contenders for the big race on Boxing Day 

Gavin Sheehan: 'The more I look at it, the more I think I've got a chance on Hewick in the King George' 

Get set for the jumps! Join Members' Club now with 50% off 

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