2022 King George pinstickers' guide: quotes and star ratings for every horse

A quality field of nine runners go to post for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30), the highlight of the Christmas racing programme in Britain, but who will come out on top in the big one at Kempton? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring trainer quotes and star ratings for the on Monday.

2.30 Kempton Monday: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase racecard

2022 King George VI Chase: exclusive offer

Sign up here. New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply.

1 Ahoy Senor

Star rating: **

Exciting novice chaser last season who put a poor comeback run behind him when a good third at Aintree and comes here rather than taking on handicappers at Wetherby. Was readily dismissed by Bravemansgame on this card 12 months ago.

Assistant trainer Peter Scudamore: "It's a very open race. I have huge respect for Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse but I don't feel we're that far away from them."

2 Bravemansgame

Star rating: ****

Stylish winner of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, jumping slickly and well. Took the Grade 1 novice chase on this card last year and has long looked a prime candidate to give Paul Nicholls a record-extending 13th King George. The chosen mount of stable jockey Harry Cobden.

Trainer Paul Nicholls: "He's in good shape and enjoyed a good prep. We've kept him for this race, He won at this track last year and seems progressive. I’m very happy with him."

3 Eldorado Allen

Star rating: ***

Second places in the Charlie Hall Chase and Betfair Chase show he is up to competing with the top three-milers without suggesting he is quite good enough to beat them in a championship event such as this.

Trainer Joe Tizzard: "I'm not expecting him to go there and win it but he's a big price and has got a live each-way chance. He's beaten a couple of these previously and goes around Kempton so I think he'll go well."

4 Envoi Allen

Star rating: ***

Ireland's only runner must be taken seriously in a race the country landed for the first time in 16 years in 2021. Envoi Allen proved his stamina when winning his seventh Grade 1 race at Down Royal, although he will need to jump better here.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead: "I think it was a proper Grade 1 performance last time. He did it well in the end. We will find out on the day and I might be wrong but we feel he should be suited by the race."

5 Frodon

Star rating: **

The 2020 winner showed he is still more than useful by defying 12st in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton. But he was well held in the Betfair Chase next time and will do well to improve on last year's fourth.

Trainer Paul Nicholls: "Frodon has been quite busy, winning at Wincanton carrying a big weight and then finishing third in the Betfair Chase. We've freshened him up since, he’s a past winner and goes there as a lively outsider."

6 Hitman

Star rating: ****

Improving chaser whose trainer Paul Nicholls is not afraid to aim a young horse at this prize and has won it with the six-year-olds Kauto Star and Clan Des Obeaux. Sam Twiston-Davies won on a mount passed over by Harry Cobden in 2019 and hopes to do the same again this year.

Hitman: one of three runners for Paul Nicholls in the King GeorgeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Paul Nicholls: "Hitman's in great shape. I’m sure he’ll get the trip, and it could bring out improvement in him. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet."

7 L'Homme Presse

Star rating: *****

Impressive winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March and put up a high-class performance to win the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle off a BHA mark of 164. Will benefit from any rain as he bids to give Venetia Williams a second success in a race she won with Teeton Mill in 1998.

Trainer Venetia Williams: "It will be a first Graded race outside of novice company for L'Homme Presse. It's a step up again. I hope he'll run a good race."

8 Millers Bank

Star rating: *

Needs to find plenty for a step back up in trip and the fitting of cheekpieces after second places over 2m4f at Carlisle and Huntingdon but surprises are possible in a race which has gone to horses returned at 20-1 and 28-1 in the last two years.

Trainer Alex Hales: "If he can run above his odds we'll be delighted. It's a privilege to have a horse good enough to run in the race."

9 Royale Pagaille

Star rating: ***

Won a handicap at this meeting in 2020 when conditions were testing and would be helped by rain. The dual Peter Marsh Chase winner is second top on Racing Post Ratings so must not be ignored.

Trainer Venetia Williams: "Royale Pagaille got held up for a while, but he's ready to run now. He's a course-and-distance winner and deserves to take his chance."

2022 King George VI Chase offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

Read more . . .

2022 King George VI Chase at Kempton: the runners, the odds, the verdict

King George 1-2-3 predictions: who will be the first three home at Kempton?

2022 King George: who wins the big race at Kempton based on previous trends?

Confirmed runners and riders for the Christmas Hurdle and other big races

Stay ahead of the field with 50 per cent off the ultimate racing subscription. Enjoy the Racing Post digital newspaper and award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing. Plus, make informed betting decisions with our expert tips and form study tools. Head to the subscription page and select 'Get Ultimate Monthly', then enter the code WELCOME2022 to get 50 per cent off your first three months.

First three payments will be charged at £19.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter.

Customers wishing to cancel will need to contact us at least seven days before their subscription is due to renew.