King George VI Chase Runners 2023: A guide to the six contenders

A small but select field of six will contest the iconic King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Below is a runner-by-runner guide, detailing each contender’s odds and a brief assessment on their chances of landing the prestigious event.

Allaho (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) – 6/4

It’s absolutely no surprise that Willie Mullins’ sole runner is favourite for this year’s renewal. On peak form, he’d be very hard to beat over a course and distance that looks right up his street. But, he’s nine now and has only just returned from a year-and-a-half on the sidelines, so is he at his brilliant best? That’s the big question that needs answering.

Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) – 2/1

Next up is defending champ Bravemansgame. Paul Nicholls’ stable star hasn’t been at his very best this season, failing in both the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and Betfair Chase at Haydock – looking particularly below-par on Merseyside. Kempton is where he excels, however, and Nicholls has won this race an astonishing 13 times, so he has every chance of bouncing back.

Frodon (Paul Nicholls/Bryony Frost) – 50/1

Team Ditcheat’s other runner is Frodon – one of my favourite horses of all time. He’ll give his all as he always does, but at 11 years of age his best days – which includes a King George triumph in 2020 – are very much behind him and he’s hard to advise.

Hewick (John Joseph Hanlon/Gavin Sheehan) – 16/1

‘Shark’ Hanlon is one of the shrewdest operators in the business and he’s enjoyed some big days with this popular eight-year-old, but he looks up against it here. I wouldn’t say he has no chance, though, at a track that looks sure to suit and with the forecast in his favour.

Shishkin (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) – 9/2

If you could guarantee that six-time Grade One winner Shishkin doesn’t refuse to race and then travels and jumps like he can do, he’d have every chance of landing the Boxing Day highlight. That’s a big if, however, so forgiveness is required in order to side with him here.

The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville/Sam Twiston-Davies) – 15/2

The Real Whacker is also on a retrieval mission having pulled-up – and returned lame – in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month. The seven-year-old was unbeaten over fences last year, including a Brown Advisory success over Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Gerri Colombe, which gives him every chance – but again, can he be trusted?

*prices – which are subject to fluctuation – correct at time of publication