Seven entries have been confirmed for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Thursday 26th December.
Last year’s winner, Clan Des Obeaux, will be looking to retain his crown for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and is currently a 7/2 chance with sponsors Ladbrokes. Nicholls will be seeking an eleventh win in the race and is also represented by Cyrname, fresh from his fine victory over Altior in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot.
Two-time King George winning trainer, Colin Tizzard, will also be double handed for Kempton Park’s Boxing Day feature. Lostintranslation will be attempting to follow up on his impressive victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock as connections set their sights on the £1 million Jockey Club Triple Crown bonus (see editors notes). The 2016 winner Thistlecrack will also line up for Tizzard after an impressive seasonal re-appearance over hurdles at Newbury where he finished second to Paisley Park.
Ireland’s Champion trainer Willie Mullins will have his first runner in the race since Vautour was narrowly beaten by Cue Card in 2015. Mullins will be hoping Footpad is able to provide him with a second Ladbrokes King George victory 18 years on from his first success with Florida Pearl.
The Venetia Williams Trained Aso and La Bague Au Roi for Warren Greatrex make up the line-up.
Barney Clifford, London Head of Racing for Jockey Club Racecourses said:
“It’s great to see such a strong line-up for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
“The seven entries including last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux, Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown contender Lostintranslation, Britain's highest-rated chaser Cyrname and Irish raider Footpad means that we have a fascinating Ladbrokes King George VI renewal in store on Boxing Day.
“It’s going to be a brilliant two days of racing over the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.”
Tickets for the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park on 26 and 27 December are on sale from online.
This year’s Ladbrokes King George VI Steeple Chase contest will be the second leg of the eagerly anticipated The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown. Jockey Club Racecourses are offering a £1million bonus if any horse wins the Betfair Chase (Haydock Park, 23rd November), the Ladbrokes King George VI Steeple Chase (Kempton Park, 26th December) and the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup (Cheltenham, 13th March 2019).
All Entries
Aso (FR), Clan des Obeaux (FR), Cyrname (FR), Footpad (FR), Lostintranslation (IRE), Thistlecrack (GB), La Bague Au Roi (FR).
