BOXING Day plays host to a betting bonanza in racing – and nothing comes bigger than the King George at Kempton.
Won last year by shock 28-1 outsider Tornado Flyer, this year’s renewal looks like it is shaping up to be a cracker.
L’Homme Presse is being backed for glory in the Boxing Day feature
Here, Sun Racing brings you all the latest runners and odds ahead of the biggest domestic race before Cheltenham.
King George ante-post (odds correct at time of writing)
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.
2-1 L’Homme Presse
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
9-4 Bravemansgame
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
11-2 Hitman
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
8-1 Envoi Allen
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
16-1 Royale Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
18-1 Frodon
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
20-1 Ahoy Senor
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Derek Fox
25-1 Eldorado Allen
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
50-1 Millers Bank
Trainer: Alex Hales
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Templegate’s King George tip
HITMAN has the King George in his sights.
This speed track will be right up his street and he was impressive when scoring at Haydock last time. There’s more to come and Paul Nicholls has a cracking record in this race.
Stablemate Bravemansgame is right in the hunt but L’Homme Presse looks a bigger threat.
He is a proven Grade 1 performer who gave lumps of weight away when scoring at Newcastle last time.
King George news
Envoi Allen’s surprise win in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase on November 5 did two things.
One, it announced him back on the top table of horses and Cheltenham Festival contenders.
Two, it threw open the options for where he could run.
Punters have been quick to react to his Down Royal victory, where he beat the likes of Galvin, Kemboy and Conflated.
Willie Mullins confirmed Allaho has suffered a setback and won’t run – and he has scratched Galopin Des Champs from the entry list.
Last year’s victor Tornado Flyer also won’t take his place for the Closutton supremo.
Hitman’s win at Haydock on November 19 boosted his credentials.
Trainer Nicholls says jockey Cobden has a huge dilemma on his hands – does he ride Bravemansgame or Hitman?
An answer appeared to come with the 13-time champion trainer saying Alex Ferguson wants Sam Twiston-Davies on Hitman.
Meanwhile, Bryony Frost hopes she can return from injury in time to ride Frodon.
And Williams says it’s all systems go for L’Homme Presse, who won carrying top weight at Newcastle on November 26 and has seen a lot of market support.
Confirmation he is set to run saw his odds slash and he is now a strong second-favourite for Grade 1 glory.
Don’t forget, this year’s race will take place at the earlier time of 2.30pm so as not to clash with the football.
What the bookies say
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “There is only one man punters want to be with in the Ladbrokes King George and that is Paul Nicholls.
“He is the winning-most trainer of the race and with the front two in the market, punters aren’t expecting any upsets.”
While Coral’s David Stevens said: “L’Homme Presse has been well-backed for the King George in recent days, so punters will welcome the news he is an intended runner on Boxing Day.
“Given his impressive victory in the Rehearsal Chase, it’s far from impossible that he could threaten Bravemansgame’s position at the head of the Kempton betting.”
