King George VI Chase tips and predictions: Bravemansgame our selection

The King George VI Chase is the highlight of the Christmas racing calendar. This year an exceptional field will line up for a prize won by some of the greats of the sport.

Bravemansgame is the defending champion, looking to join an elite list of multiple King George winners.

The big race at Kempton, due off at 2.30pm, is live for terrestrial viewers on ITV Racing.

No trainer has won the race more than Britain’s champion Paul Nicholls and he is fancied to bag the festive showpiece once again.

King George VI Chase, Kempton, Boxing Day, 2.30pm 

King George VI Chase tips

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History beckons for Brave Nicholls and Cobden

Ever since BRAVEMANSGAME first jumped a fence, Nicholls has called him a tailor-made King George horse – and he is a man who should know, having won the race 13 times as a trainer.

Last year, Bravemansgame became the fifth individual horse to win the King George for Nicholls. He was already well on top of L’homme Presse when that horse exited at the last, leaving Nicholls’s charge to cruise home with a yawning gap back to the rest.

It is true that this season has not been plain sailing for Bravemansgame. He has been beaten in the Charlie Hall and Betfair chases. But similar could be said for Allaho, who has spent most of the past 18 months on the sidelines, and Shishkin who refused to race last time.

You can extend a bit more charity to Bravemansgame, as we know that this will once again have been his principal target for the season.

Selection: Bravemansgame 2/1 @ with BoyleSports

Mullins star cannot be overlooked

There is a strong chance that a peak-form ALLAHO would have the better of Bravemansgame even if the latter turned up at his best.

This horse has won the Ryanair Chase twice at the Cheltenham Festival by huge margins and has four performances that the Racing Post handicappers regard as better than what Bravemansgame did in this race last year.

The issue with Allaho is his recent injury troubles. Still, he showed plenty of his old zest and much of his old ability when winning at Clonmel in November. He will need to step forward from that to win this race, but it would not be a surprise.

Selection: Allaho 13/8 @ with BoyleSports

Rock-solid former champ can go well

While FRODON will not go down as a King George winner for the ages, his 2020 success is bound for history.

As well as the headline-grabbing win it provided for rider Bryony Frost, his performance that day was marked by his trademark zest and slick jumping.

Frodon is getting on now – he will be 12 next week – but he keeps on showing his boundless enthusiasm. His form is not too far off his best either, and it looks like he could get to lead again in this race.

He would be a surprise winner, as he was in 2020, but it would not be a shock if he were to take minor money in this race again.

Selection: Frodon @ 40/1 with BoyleSports

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