King George VI Chase Tips and Offers

We have the best odds, betting tips and offers available here for the historic King George VI Chase from Kempton Park.

This one has been dominated by Cheltenham Gold Cup winners and contenders in recent years which indicated the class of the contest and this year is no different. With huge prize money and great prestige, the King George attracts some of the best horses around and is always a thrilling Christmas-time race, loved by racing fans and punters.

King George VI Tips and Betting Offers, 3:05, 26th December 2019

The King George VI Chase isn’t just the richest, most prestigious race of Boxing Day, it is one of the very best steeplechases in jumps racing. It always attracts a smattering of the highest calibre horses in training. That is most certainly the case for this year’s running even if the rain that’s fallen at Kempton Park has resulted in a relatively small field of six contenders.

Lostintranslation Can Take a Step Closer to Triple Crown Glory

There are a number of different Triple Crowns in the world of horse racing. One of the more recent entries is the Stayers Chase Triple Crown which was introduced as the Betfair Million in 2005. There is still a £1 million bonus provided by the Jockey Club for any horse who can win the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

So far, the majestic Kauto Star is the only horse to have completed the Stayers Chase Triple Crown but hopes are high that may change this season. Lostintranslation has already completed the first leg, lowering the colours of Bristol De Mai who was attempting to complete a hat-trick at the Betfair Chase.

The Betfair Chase was the first real test of Lostintranslation’s quality outside of the novice ranks (he made light work of a Listed race earlier in November on his first appearance of the season). The quality of his jumping and the power he showed in the closing stretch at Haydock was enough for many to believe that Colin Tizzard’s seven-year-old is the real deal. Indeed, his Haydock success saw Lostintranslation cut into favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

This is another huge test with the much fancied Cyrname and last year’s King George winner, Clan Des Obeaux, sure to offer stiff resistance. It is another test that Lostintranslation can ace though at odds of 7/4 with Ladbrokes.

Small Field Still Provides Each Way Value

The bookies are only paying out two places for each way bets on the 2019 King George but such is the quality of the six competitors in the field there is still good value to be found. For many, the each way bet is simple. Thistlecrack is an incredibly popular horse who finished second in the King George last year and warmed up with a very good showing in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. The best each way bet, however, may well be Footpad at 9/1 with Paddy Power.

Last season was one to forget for connections of Footpad. He made a couple of expensive errors and failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him in some high class chases. Thankfully, we saw something approaching the real Footpad last time out with his victory in a Listed race over 2 miles 6 furlongs at Thurles. Putting the quality of his opposition to one side, it was very heartening to see Footpad relish the step up in trip. That run was good enough for Willie Mullins to bring his charge over from Ireland and he may be rewarded with another big run.

Betting Predictions

Footpad and Thistlecrack should provide punters looking for a big post-Christmas payout with some entertainment for the King George VI Chase but the winner is more likely to come from the top of the betting. Lostintranslation has a chance to prove himself as a stayer of the highest calibre and set up a potentially massive story at the Gold Cup at odds of 7/4 with Ladbrokes.

Previous Race Winners

  • 2018 – Clan Des Obeaux – jockey Harru Cobden, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2017 – Might Bite – jockey Nico de Boinville, trainer Nicky Henderson
  • 2016 – Thistlecrack – jockey Tom Scudamore, trainer Colin Tizzard
  • 2015 – Cue Card – jockey Paddy Brennan, trainer Colin Tizzard
  • 2014 – Silviniaco Conti – jockey Noel Fehily, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2013 – Silviniaco Conti – jockey Noel Fehily, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2012 – Long Run – jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, trainer Nicky Henderson
  • 2011 – Kauto Star – jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2010 – Long Run – jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, trainer Nicky Henderson
  • 2009 – Kauto Star – jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2008 – Kauto Star – jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2007 – Kauto Star – jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2006 – Kauto Star – jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls
  • 2005 – Kicking King – jockey Barry Geraghty, trainer Tom Taaffe

King George VI Chase History

The historic King George VI Chase is brought to us from Kempton Park race course and has been contested almost every year since its founding in back in 1937. It is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase ran over a distance of roughly three miles, with 18 fences to be jumped along the way. It is open to all horses aged four years or older and is usually a fixed fixture on Boxing Day every year as part of the William Hill Winter Festival.

The event was run just twice before the Second World War as Kempton Park was actually closed for racing in order to be used as a prisoner-of-war camp. It is perceived as the second most prestigious chase in England, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup being the only to surpass its reputation.

14 horses have managed to win this race on more than one occasion, with two standing above the rest with four and five wins each. The first is Desert Orchid, who managed to win here in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. The second, and most recent, is Kauto Star. This legendary horse managed five triumphant runs in this race between the years 2006 and 2011. As a result, Kauto Star holds the record for the most wins in this event and also ensured that his jockey on each of these occasions, Ruby Walsh, holds claim to the leading jockey accolade.

Paul Nicholls, the trainer of Kauto Star, has managed to have four of his trained horses win this one. The other three of his horses are See More Business, who won in 1997 and 1999, Silviniaco Conti, one of his most recent success story having won in 2013 and 2014, and Clan Des Obeaux in 2018. Nicholls has accumulated an astonishing 10 wins in the King George VI, far more than any other trainer to have horses entered in this race in the past.

It has been in the race’s more recent history that a number of race records have been eclipsed, but one that has remained since the very first running of this event has been the record for the oldest horse to have ever won here. Since 1937, this record has remained in the possession of Southern Hero, who won the first contest of this event at the grand old age of 12. Similarly, the record for the youngest horse to have ever won the King George VI Chase remains as Manicou, a five-year-old horse who achieved victory back in 1950.