King George VI Chase tips, odds and betting preview
Kempton Park hosts the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day for its 73rd renewal since its inception in 1937.
Paul Nicholls has been dominant in the race in recent years winning it an astonishing 11 times since 2006, with Kauto Star accounting for five of those wins.
Nicholls has won it four times in just the last five as well with Clan Des Obeaux, Frodon and Bravemansgame.
But he has his work cut out for him this year with Allaho the big market favourite at 2/1.
The winner will receive £142,375 as the big Boxing Day clash sees some of the best chasers battle it out over 3m, taking on 18 fences in Sunbury.
The Grade 1 Chase is the biggest chase in the winter with all eyes on potential runners from as far back as Cheltenham Festival in the same year.
This year, Gerri Colombe has slowly creeped into contention with his consistency and staying power, with only the most resilient able to win this tough chase.
Nicholls has the 11/4 shot Bravemansgame who won it last year but doubt has been cast upon him by many fans after successive second placed efforts on his seasonal reappearances.
Being beaten by Gentlemansgame at Wetherby and by Royale Pagaille in very testing conditions at Haydock in November in the Betfair Chase.
In fact, the eight-year-old hasn't won since beating Royale Pagaille in the King George last year, going behind also to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup and then Fastorslow at the Punchestown Gold Cup.
This year is incredibly open with no real clear contender by any stretch as it so often is.
But by far the biggest threat is of course the market leader in Allaho, who returned from a long layoff in November to win well and lengthen his unbeaten streak to five.
There's a huge appeal for Gerri Colombe this year for multiple reasons, one of those being Gordon Elliott's horses have been in great form.
Gerri has seen a plethora of strong challengers and has only been beaten by one, The Real Whacker at Cheltenham Festival, but if the race was just a yard or so longer, it could well have been another victory for the gelding.
He's still just seven years old and he came back for his prep run for this race in November, fending off Envoi Allen, Conflated and Minella Indo.
At this stage though, there's a huge price to be had on Hewick, the eight-year-old trained by Shark Hanlon.
He was going well under Brian Hughes last time out, also on his first start for the season, but had to carry close to 2st more than the majority of his rivals and that took its toll and was eased off after the last fence.
But this horse is often underestimated and is a very lovable character, who has come in on numerous times at 16/1.
He thrives over long distances and also would have had a great placed effort in the Gold Cup had he not fallen five from home.
Just a month later the horse returned to Sandown under Rachael Blackmore and won comfortably in a Grade 2 contest and despite coming up against some tougher horses, ought to be sided with each-way.
Jordan Gainford is the usual jockey but has missed a few rides on this horse due to injury and will be sitting out again for this one. But Hewick will go for the King George which is all that needs to happen.
All odds correct at time of writing
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