Kempton will stage a cracking renewal of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and we’ve ranked all eight of the contenders for Grade One glory.
The roll of honour for this race features a whole host of steeplechasing legends, including five-time winner Kauto Star and four-time hero Desert Orchid .
Rarely has the King George field had such strength in depth, though, and a post-Christmas cracker is on the cards!
Betting Odds
2025 King George Betting Odds
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Gaelic Warrior | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Fact To File | 11/4 | 26.7% |
Jango Baie | 11/4 | 26.7% |
The Jukebox Man | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Djelo | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Banbridge | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Il Est Francais | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Master Chewy | 125/1 | 0.8% |
Betting Favourite
2025 King George Chase Favourite
The favourite for the 2025 King George VI Chase favourite is Gaelic Warrior who is 5/2 in the betting to win the prestigious race at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Runners & Riders
2025 King George Chase Runners & Riders
1. Banbridge. Jockey: Sean Bowen. Trainer: J P O’Brien. Official Rating: 166
2. Djelo. Jockey: Charlie Deutsch. Trainer: Miss V Williams. Official Rating: 163
3. Fact To File. Jockey: Mark Walsh. Trainer: W P Mullins. Official Rating: 173
4. Gaelic Warrior. Jockey: Paul Townend. Trainer: W P Mullins. Official Rating: 174
5. Il Est Francais. Jockey: H Cobden. Trainer: T R George. Official Rating: 163
6. Jango Baie. Jockey: N de Boinville. Trainer: N J Henderson. Official Rating: 165
7. Master Chewy. Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies. Trainer: N & W Twiston-Davies. Official Rating: 157
8. The Jukebox Man. Jockey: Ben Jones. Trainer: B Pauling. Official Rating: 156
Runners Ranked
2025 King George Chase Guide: All 8 Runners Ranked
Master Chewy
8. Master Chewy @ 125/1
Has disappointed since February ’s Game Spirit success at Newbury over two miles and stepping up in trip again feels like a big ask.
Il Est Francais
7. Il Est Francais @ 18/1
It is hard to believe that he ranks so low down, having been a brilliant all-the-way winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over this course and distance two years ago and then leading his rivals a merry dance for much of last season’s King George before just getting reeled in late on.
However, Il Est Francais has struggled to rediscover his best form since that fine effort and was pulled up on his first start since relocating from France to Britain in last month’s 1965 Chase at Ascot.
Djelo
6. Djelo @ 14/1
Venetia Williams ’ likeable sort has won the Charlie Hall and the Peterborough Chase this term, taking his tally of Grade Two victories to five, but he has so far been found wanting when stepped up to elite level.
Banbridge
5. Banbridge @ 16/1
Came with a beautifully-timed run to claim this prize last term and also battled on bravely to beat Pic D’orhy in a Grade Two event here 11 months earlier, so connections will be hoping Kempton brings out the best in him again after a trio of tailed-off finishes.
Jango Baie
4. Jango Baie @ 11/4
Nicky Henderson ’s six-year-old was a dramatic winner of the Arkle over two miles last season when powering up the Cheltenham hill but has always been regarded as more of a stayer and ran away from his rivals in the 2m 5f 1965 Chase at Ascot a month ago.
“He jumped well and travelled well and what I did like is how he picked up from the last and went away,” beamed Henderson , but the Seven Barrows handler did admit it is possible to pick holes in that form on account of how poorly others performed.
The Jukebox Man
3. The Jukebox Man @ 6/1
Sadly picked up a season-ending injury after scoring comfortably in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase a year ago but returned to action last month with an impressive round of jumping to score at Haydock from Iroko , who subsequently franked the form with a solid Ascot triumph.
The pride and joy of trainer Ben Pauling and owner Harry Fry is officially over a stone below the big two from Ireland but has the scope to go right to the top.
Fact To File
2. Fact To File @ 11/4
If in the same mood as when storming home by nine lengths in last season’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham after travelling beautifully throughout, he will take the world of beating, but there is just a niggling doubt about whether Willie Mullins really wanted to run here.
Gaelic Warrior
1. Gaelic Warrior @ 5/2
This has always been the plan for Mullins ’ other entry, who rallied bravely to get the better of Fact To File by a neck in the John Durkan at Punchestown on his seasonal reappearance.
Gaelic Warrior now has five Grade One wins on a CV which features some spectacular displays and the 2024 Arkle ace quickened up well at the end of three miles and a furlong in the Aintree Bowl in April , so he is the one to beat.
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