King George VI Chase predictions: Bravemansgame the one to beat

- Paul Nicholls has won the King George VI four of the last five years
- Bravemansgame defends his crown on Boxing Day
- Recommended bet: Bravemansgame to win

It is one of the biggest races of the season at Kempton on Boxing Day as they stage the King George VI Chase.

We preview the race, going through the credentials of each horse before giving an expert opinion and selection for the 3m steeplechase.

King George VI Chase Preview – Tuesday, December 26

Key talking point: Is Allaho still the same horse?

Dual Ryanair Chase hero Allaho missed the whole of last season with a spleen problem but despite being off the track for 561 days, Willie Mullins' star made the perfect return when making all in the Clonmel Oil Chase in November.

Still up there as one of the highest-rated chasers in training with a rating of 177, his last outing before Clonmel was when hammering Clan Des Obeaux in the Punchestown Gold Cup in 2022.

Question marks still have to be raised as to whether he still retains all of his old ability. He beat two rivals at Clonmel and was not foot-perfect either, so he looks a very short price on the face of it for such a prestigious race.

The John Durkan came too soon for him this season so the King George was probably always the target after his reappearance run. He should win if he is at his very best, but will he be?

Key talking point: Bravemansgame has less to prove than most

The uniqueness of the King George this year is the fact all six runners have some big question marks surrounding their chances, which of course makes for an intriguing race.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the race four times in the last five years so he certainly knows what it takes to get a horse spot on for the big occasion, and Bravemansgame should be fully primed for this.

He took his form to another level when routing the field in this race last year against some quality opposition, in full control of the race when L'Homme Presse had an unfortunate fall at the last.

Bravemansgame ran another brilliant race when second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March. It would be silly to dismiss him in this lineup.

Key talking point: The remaining challengers

Shishkin has had an interrupted campaign and although must be respected, there must also be caution as he refused to race at Ascot when last seen.

The Real Whacker beat Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory in March so would certainly be a massive player here if he could replicate that level of form. He has to bounce back from a poor run at Cheltenham last month, but a flat track over this trip will suit.

Frodon and Hewick both look up against it at this level. The former sprung a surprise when winning this race in 2020 and Shark Hanlon's Irish raider should run with credit without threatening the chief principals.

King George VI Chase Prediction

Allaho will take a huge amount of beating if he is at his best, but the selection has to be Paul Nicholls' BRAVEMANSGAME, who is still only an eight-year-old and can make it a perfect 3-3 at Kempton in his career.