Confirmed runners and riders for the 2022 King George VI Chase - plus a free bet

All nine contenders have been declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) at Kempton on Boxing Day and bookmakers are still struggling to separate Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse at the top of the market for the festive showpiece.

L'Homme Presse, a 2-1 chance, is the principal fancy for Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch is set to ride, while the trainer has called on Tom Scudamore to partner stablemate Royale Pagaille.

Scudamore is the only jockey other than Deutsch to have ridden the Susannah Ricci-owned chaser since he joined Williams but the jockey was able to record a wide-margin victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in 2021 when they teamed up.

There were no surprises at Friday's declaration stage with Paul Nicholls' three chances confirmed. Harry Cobden partners stable first-string Bravemansgame, who is 15-8 favourite with some firms. He arrives here following an impressive comeback success in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October.

Hitman, due to be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, is the youngest in the field and also considered a leading fancy, while Frodon is the only former winner in the line-up. Bryony Frost will take the ride on the popular veteran.

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Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning connections Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and Cheveley Park Stud take aim at another big British jumps prize with Envoi Allen. The sole Irish raider was once believed to be racing's hottest property when unbeaten in 11 racecourse starts, and he could be back to his best having won the Champion Chase at Down Royal this season.

The Lucinda Russell-trained Ahoy Senor, who finished ahead of Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, bids to bounce back from two disappointing runs this season. Derek Fox rides again.

Millers Bank is to be ridden by Jonathan Burke and the line-up is completed by the Joe Tizzard-trained Eldorado Allen.

King George VI Chase runners and riders

Ahoy SenorDerek Fox
BravemansgameHarry Cobden
Eldorado Allen Brendan Powell
Envoi AllenRachael Blackmore
FrodonBryony Frost
HitmanSam Twiston-Davies
L'Homme PresseCharlie Deutsch
Millers Bank Jonathan Burke
Royale Pagaille Tom Scudamore

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Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30 Kempton, Monday)

Ladbrokes: 13-8 L'Homme Presse, 9-4 Bravemansgame, 13-2 Envoi Allen, 7-1 Hitman, 16 Royale Pagaille, 20 Frodon, Ahoy Senor, 25 Eldorado Allen, 40 Millers Bank

King George VI Chase verdict and 1-2-3 prediction

1L'Homme Presse
2 Bravemansgame
3 Envoi Allen

It is 24 years since Venetia Williams won this Christmas highlight with Teeton Mill but she has every chance of adding a second success with .

His sole defeat over fences came at Aintree in April, but a Cheltenham Festival win showed he was arguably the best staying novice chaser of his generation and he got back on track at Newcastle last month.

Despite shouldering a big weight, the seven-year-old was always up with the pace and held off his eight rivals more comfortably than the official one-length margin would suggest. He usually jumps well and his high cruising speed suggests this test will suit.
Stuart Redding

This content was first published in the Racing Post Weekender. Read more from Stuart and star Weekender contributors such as leading tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and exclusive columnist Alan King every week.

Introducing the ITV Racing Christmas Festival

The ITV Racing Christmas Festival features six days of top-class action on the channel from 12 different tracks in Britain and Ireland between December 26 and January 1.

Some 41 live races will be shown in all, including eight Grade 1s such as the King George VI Chase, with the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham's New Year's Day card among the big-race highlights across a spectacular six days of racing on terrestrial television across the festive period.