A field of 10 has been declared for the 2018 renewal of the 32Red King George VI Steeple Chase at Kempton Park on Wednesday 26th December. Heading the market is the Nicky Henderson-trained Might Bite. The nine-year-old will be looking to retain his crown having won the race 12 months ago to put a disappointing seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock behind him.
Following Bristol De Mai’s brilliant four-length victory in the Betfair Chase, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies will attempt to win the £250,000 Grade One contest for the first time as connections set their sights on the £1 million Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown bonus.
Gold Cup hero Native River and 2016 32Red King George VI winner Thistlecrack are both set to line-up for Dorset based trainer Colin Tizzard. The pair finished second and third respectively behind Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase.
The John Hales owned, Politologue, will spearhead the Paul Nicholls team. Nicholls holds the leading trainer record for the 32Red King George VI since its inception in 1937, boasting nine wins. Nicholls will also be represented by Clan des Obeaux. The six-year-old ran an impressive race in the Betfair Chase finishing fourth ahead of Might Bite.
The Ruth Jefferson trained Waiting Patiently, is currently the 5/1 second favourite for the 32Red King George VI and is defending an unbeaten six-race record over fences. The seven-year-old has not been seen since beating Cue Card in the Ascot Chase back in February but recently underwent a racecourse gallop at Hexham racecourse and is reported to be in fine fettle.
2015 Gold Cup winner Coneygree will line up at Kempton Park on Boxing Day following an encouraging reappearance at Cheltenham last month where he finished third.
Double Shuffle, trained by Tom George, is hoping to go one better in this year’s race having finished a gallant second in the race last year despite being one of the outsiders.
Trainer Jane Williams and jockey Lizzie Kelly will be hoping Tea For Two can go a few better in this year’s renewal having finished third last season.
Ends
Notes to editors
To win the 32Red King George - the sponsor’s bet:
- 11/4 Might Bite
- 5/1 Waiting Patiently
- 5/1 Politologue
- 7/1 Bristol De Mai
- 7/1 Native River
- 7/1 Thistlecrack
- 14/1 Clan Des Obeaux
- 25/1 Coneygree
- 25/1 Double Shuffle
- 33/1 Tea For Two
All declarations for the 32Red King George VI:
Bristol De Mai (FR), Clan des Obeaux (FR), Coneygree (GB), Double Shuffle (IRE), Might Bite (IRE), Native River (IRE), Politologue (FR), Tea For Two (GB), Thistlecrack (GB), Waiting Patiently (IRE)
About Kempton Park:
Kempton Park Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which stages thrilling sporting occasions including the Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy special experiences through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. Founded in 1750, The Jockey Club is the largest commercial group in Britain’s second biggest spectator sport operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
Sophie Neal, 07976 446 466, Sophie.Neal@thejockeyclub.co.uk
or Hugo Barran, JSC, 0207 736 2494, hugo@jsccomms.co.uk
