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Big-race preview & tip: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase

By Sporting Life

10:30 · SAT December 24, 2022

We have a tip, trainer quotes and key video replays for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase tip - L'Homme Presse

A rapidly-progressive novice until Aintree last season, L'HOMME PRESSE is very much excused that low-key final run of the campaign on Merseyside, especially after resuming with such an impressive display under top weight in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

He sets the standard in this field, is a very economical jumper and won't mind a switch to this right-handed track having won going this way around in the past, including when winning at Grade One level at Sandown in February.

Bravemansgame can confirm last year's Kauto Star Novices' Chase superiority over Ahoy Senor, but don't dismiss Envoi Allen who could be suited how this plays out and he's still relatively unexposed as a three-miler.

Timeform Pace Map

Key Quotes

Paul Nicholls - Frodon, Bravemansgame & Hitman

"All three of my runners have more than earned a shot at the King George which has been the long term plan for Bravemansgame from the moment he started schooling over fences at home. He was mustard from day one, quickly developed into a top class chaser and landed the Kauto Star Chase impressively at this track a year ago. He returned this season with a superb performance in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby when he was far from fully wound up. Three miles round Kempton on decent ground is ideal for Bravemansgame has improved again and looks fantastic, as well as I’ve ever had him.

"Frodon won this race in tremendous style in 2020 but things didn’t go to plan twelve months ago when he got into a fierce battle for the lead and was a spent force in the home straight. Frodon showed he is far from a back number by winning the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton in November under a huge weight. I was then guilty of turning him out again too soon in the Betfair Chase at Aintree. It’s brilliant that Bryony Frost is back in action after breaking a collar bone last month because she gets such a great tune from Frodon. I just wonder though if he might struggle against some classy younger opponents.

"Hitman has needed time, continues to progress, looks better than ever this season after a wind op over the summer and won at Haydock last time in great style after a highly encouraging run in the Old Roan at Aintree when he wasn’t fully tuned up. I’ve trained him for this race and while this trip is three furlongs further than Haydock I’ve always believed he would stay three miles. In fact it might even bring outfurther improvement in him. Clan Des Obeaux was rated 160 when he won the King George for the first time in 2018 and that is the current rating for Hitman, who is still only six. I’m sure the best is yet to come from him."