14:30 Kempton

Friday 26 December 2025

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 49.13s

Banbridge^v1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 166| CD

16/1

Proved suited by the return to 3m when overhauling Il Est Francais in this race last year but hasn't come close to reproducing that form in 3 outings since, including remote fourth in 17f Cork Grade 2 on recent return from 7 months off. Visored first time.

Form: 4U174-4

Djelo¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 164| D

14/1

High-class chaser who has won the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (3m, good) and Peterborough at Huntingdon (2½m, soft) this season. Now a 5-time Grade 2 winner but has come up a little short in 4 previous attempts at the top level.

Form: 2176-11

Fact To File³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 173| BF| D

3/1

Dual Grade 1 winner around 2½m last season, namely the John Durkan and Ryanair. Just lost out to stablemate Gaelic Warrior in a memorable duel for this year's John Durkan, pulling well clear of the rest. Has won a Grade 1 over 3m. A bold show looks assured.

Form: 12314-2

Gaelic Warrior^t,h³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 174| D

9/4

Top-class chaser who ended last season on a high with wins in Grade 1 at Aintree and Grade 2 at Sandown. Picked up where he'd left off with a career best to see off reopposing stablemate Fact To File (29 lengths clear of Fastorslow in third) in John Durkan at Punchestown (2½m, soft) on reappearance.

Form: 2/2311-1

Il Est Francais³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: T R George| OR: 163| CD

20/1

Bold-jumping front runner who landed Kauto Star on this card 2 years ago. Looked the likely winner for most of last year's King George only to be worn down late by Banbridge. While his C&D record makes him dangerous to discount, his recent efforts leave him with something to prove.

Form: P261-3P

Jango Baie³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 165

9/4

Smart novice hurdler and quickly made up into a better chaser last term, producing a power-packed finish to land the 2m Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Took his form up another notch with impressive reappearance win in 21f Ascot Grade 2. A threat to all if his stamina holds stepping up to 3m.

Form: 2/1213-1

Master Chewy³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 156| CWS

100/1

Very smart chaser who was fine second in the Old Roan at Aintree on his reappearance but no match for Jango Baie when a remote fourth in Ascot Grade 2 since. Has had wind surgery. Big outsider.

Form: 3156-24

The Jukebox Man³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 157| CD

7/1

Smart novice hurdler who quickly made up into an even better chaser at the end of 2024, winning Newbury Grade 2 and Grade 1 Kauto Star on this card. Missed the second half of last season due to injury but made impressive comeback when beating Iroko in Haydock graduation event 5 weeks ago. Player.

Form: 322/11-1

Forecasts

Gaelic Warrior (9/4), Jango Baie (9/4), Fact To File (3/1), The Jukebox Man (7/1), Djelo (14/1), Banbridge (16/1), Il Est Francais (20/1), Master Chewy (100/1)

A high-quality King George. JANGO BAIE was very impressive on his Ascot reappearance and might be worth siding with to improve past top-class Willie Mullins pair Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, who served up a treat in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month. Unbeaten chaser The Jukebox Man is another fascinating contender.