10 entries have been confirmed for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday 26th December.
Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson has supplemented last season’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Santini.
Clan Des Obeaux - the winner in 2018 & 2019 - will be bidding to join Kauto Star and Desert Orchid by winning a third consecutive King George VI Chase and is currently 15/8 joint-favourite to retain his title with sponsors Ladbrokes. Nicholls will be seeking a twelfth win in the race and is also represented by Britain’s highest rated chaser and last year’s runner up Cyrname. Frodon and Reel Steel make up the Nicholls team.
Lostintranslation will fly the flag for dual Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winning trainer Colin Tizzard. Lostintranslation finished third in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March having been pulled up in the King George VI Chase when sent off 15/8 second favourite last year.
Monalee is the sole Irish runner for County Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead. The nine-year-old was last seen finishing third behind Presenting Percy on his seasonal re-appearance at Thurles. Rachael Blackmore will be traveling over from Ireland to ride him at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Waiting Patiently will be hoping for better luck in this year’s renewal, having been brought down when travelling nicely in 2018. The Ruth Jefferson trained nine-year-old will be having his first run since finishing third in last year’s Tingle Creek Chase.
Tom George will be represented by Black Op, who finished ninth in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last month, whilst Harry Whittington could run Ryanair Chase runner-up Saint Calvados, following a spell on the sidelines with a bout of blood poisoning following an infection.
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 ten entries including dual winner Clan Des Obeaux, Britain's highest-rated chaser Cyrname and last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up and third, Santini and Lostintranslation, means we have a fantastic renewal in store on Boxing Day.
“We also have the likes of Altior, Epatante and Shishkin to look forward to. It’s going to be a brilliant two days of racing over the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.”