Top National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson is bidding to out a smile on the face of punters over the festive period by winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
While Henderson is renowned for winning big races, his record in annual Boxing Day showpiece is relatively underwhelming.
Long Run (2010 & 2012) and Might Bite (2017) are his only previous winners in the race, but he has an excellent chance of adding to his tally this year.
Ascot Winner Showcases His King George Credentials
Jango Baie shot towards the head of the King George betting with a hugely impressive victory in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month.
Although he is unproven over three miles, online bookmakers rate the six-year-old as a 9/4 shot to give Henderson is fourth victory in the race.
The Seven Barrows handler believes Jango Baie will handle the step up in trip, although he is wary of what is shaping up to be a high-class field.
“You’ve got to go to Kempton on Boxing Day with him and that seemed a nice, easy solution at 1.45 pm on Saturday afternoon,” Henderson said.
“But then The Jukebox Man ran and Gaelic Warrior won on Sunday and you are thinking blimey, we’re in something here! It’s going to be a good race.
“He jumped well and travelled well and what I did like is how he picked up from the last and went away. He’s got a gear and even had a gear over two miles and he’s got the pace to be in the race because he can travel as well.”
Mullins Bids to Throw a Spanner in the Works
Irish trainers have dominated the King George in recent years, winning three of the last four renewals (Willie Mullins – 2021, JJ Hanlon – 2023, Joseph O’Brien – 2024).
Mullins has an excellent chance of adding to his tally, with recent John Durkan Chase winner Gaelic Warrior rated as the 7/4 favourite to win the race.
Gaelic Warrior has looked different class since being stepped up in distance. His record of three wins and two seconds in England highlights his ability.
He has an excellent record going right-handed, and the oddsmakers on the best Irish horse racing betting sites could be forced into making a big payout if he produces his best form.
Mullins knows what it takes to win big races and punters are guaranteed to wager heavily on Gaelic Warrior if he is in the King George line-up on Boxing Day.
Last year’s winner Banbridge could also be dangerous. Several horses have won the King George more than once and the nine-year-old should run well at a decent price.
The Jukebox Man Bids to Hit All the Right Notes
The Jukebox Man won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at this meeting last year, but subsequently missed the rest of the campaign.
However, he demonstrated his wellbeing on his seasonal reappearance by romping home in a Class 2 chase over 2m 5f at Haydock last month.
While he is yet to prove that he can mix it with the best steeplechasers in the business, trainer Ben Pauling is bullish about his chances at Kempton.
“He’s an exciting horse who has never really had to be extended to win over fences and I wouldn’t swap him for any King George contender at the moment” Pauling said.
“I can’t emphasise enough, although I tried to explain it beforehand, how much he will come on for the race (at Haydock).
“It was sort of the perfect trial for me because he hasn’t had to go to the well to win it. It was the perfect prep run for fitness and everything in order to go to Kempton with our confidence high.”
King George V1 Chase – Latest Betting
- Gaelic Warrior – 7/4
- Jango Baie – 9/4
- The Jukebox Man – 5/1
- Fact To File – 6/1
- Djelo – 10/1
- Il Est Francais – 16/1
- Banbridge – 16/1
- Fastorslow – 25/1
- Kolokico – 40/1
- Firefox – 50/1
- Heart Wood – 50/1
- L’Homme Presse – 66/1
- Grangeclare West – 66/1
- Master Chewy – 100/1
- Croke Park – 100/1
