37 entries have been received at the initial entry stage for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse on Thursday 26 December.
The £250,000 Grade 1 contest has attracted multiple entries from a number of domestic, Irish and French trainers including Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Colin Tizzard and Willie Mullins.
Last year’s victor Clan des Obeaux looks set to defend his crown and is currently 11/2 to retain his title with sponsors Ladbrokes. Britain's highest-rated chaser Cyrname is another possible runner for the 11-time Champion trainer. Nicholls holds the leading trainer record for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase since its inception in 1937, boasting ten wins. Black Corton and Frodon make up his entries for this year’s race.
Altior is one of five entered for trainer Nicky Henderson, after chalking up a record-breaking sequence of 19 wins over shorter distances. Altior is currently the 5/2 favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes to give Henderson his fourth win in the race. 2018 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winner Might Bite, along with Ok Corral, Santini and Valtor complete the Henderson trained entries.
Exciting prospect Lostintranslation will spearhead the team for dual Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winning trainer Colin Tizzard. Lostintranslation won the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree last season and made a very impressive seasonal re-appearance at Carlisle earlier this month. 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Native River and Thistlecrack, who won the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase in 2016, have also been entered by the Dorset based trainer. Elegant Escape makes up the Tizzard entries.
2019 Magners Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo is one of nine possible runners for Irish Champion Trainer Willie Mullins. Owners Rich and Sussanah Ricci will be hoping that one of Min, Chacun Pour Soi or Douvan will be able to provide them with a first success in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
There are a total of 13 entries from Ireland as well as a sole entry from France with trainer Emmanuel Clayeux entering Enjeu d'Arthel.
For a full list of entries please see below.
Barney Clifford, Regional Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course, Kempton Park Racecourse, said:
"We are delighted to have new sponsors Ladbrokes on board and look forward to working with them for this years Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.
“It is fantastic to see such high-quality horses entered from the UK and Ireland, many of whom have had multiple Grade 1 wins.
“Clan Des Obeaux will be bidding to retain his crown but it will be no easy feat with such strength and depth amongst the entries. The possibility of Altior lining up adds something extra to this year’s renewal.
“It is the absolute highlight of Kempton Park’s Jumps calendar, so we are looking forward to a brilliantly competitive running of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase."
Nicola McGeady, Head of PR at Ladbrokes, said:
“We couldn’t be happier with today’s entries, as a mouth-watering clash looks in store for our first year as sponsors of the King George VI Chase. With this race firmly on the agenda for Altior, the Nicky Henderson star is a worthy favourite but he won’t have it all his own way with the likes of Cyrname, Clan Des Obeaux, and LostInTranslation all expected to take him on. It really does look a fascinating renewal and December 26th can’t come quick enough.”
Notes
To win the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, the sponsors bet:
5/2 Altior, 5/1 Cyrname, 11/2 Clan Des Obeaux, 7/1 LostInTranslation, 12/1 Al Boum Photo, 14/1 Min, 14/1 Frodon, 14/1 Road To Respect, 16/1 Thistlecrack, 16/1 Might Bite, 16/1 Santini, 16/1 La Bague Au Roi, 20/1 Chacun Pour Soi, 20/1 Douvan, 20/1 Native River, 20/1 Vinndication, 25/1 Bellshill, 25/1 Monalee, 25/1 Defi du Seuil, 33/1 Bristol De Mai, 33/1 Black Corton, 33/1 Duc des Genievres, 33/1 Real Steel, 33/1 Footpad, 40/1 Ok Corral, 50/1 bar
All entries:
Al Boum Photo (FR), Altior (IRE), Aso (FR), Belami des Pictons (FR), Bellshill (IRE), Black Corton (FR), Bristol de Mai (FR), Chacun Pour Soi (FR), Clan des Obeaux (FR), Cyrname (FR), Defi du Seuil (FR), Double Shuffle (IRE), Douvan (FR), Duc des Genievres (FR), Elegant Escape (IRE), Enjeu d’Arthel (FR), Footpad (FR), Frodon (FR), Lostintranslation (IRE), Mercian Prince (IRE), Might Bite (IRE), Min (FR), Mister Whitaker (IRE), Monalee (IRE), Native River (IRE), Ok Corral (IRE), Real Steel (FR), Road To Respect (IRE), Saint Calvados (FR), Santini (GB), Snow Falcon (IRE), Thistlecrack (GB), Tout Est Permis (FR), Valtor (FR), Vinndication (IRE), Voix de Reve (FR), La Bague Au Roi (FR)
The Ladbrokes Christmas Festival takes place on 26th & 27th December 2019.
