King George VI Chase Ante-Post Predictions & Betting Tips (2025)

The King George VI is the mid-season Boxing Day race that draws the biggest names. horses, jockeys and trainers – many who have gone on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham the following March. 

The festive feature is synonymous with some of the most famous names in racing with Arkle, Pendil, Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid and Best Mate all taking their place on the roll of honour. 

Full List of King George Entries:

• Banbridge Joseph O’Brien
• Boombawn Dan Skelton
• Croke Park Gordon Elliott
• Djelo Venetia Williams
• Fact To File Willie Mullins
• Fastorslow Martin Brassil
• Firefox Gordon Elliott
• Found A Fifty Gordon Elliott
• Gaelic Warrior Willie Mullins
• Grangeclare West Willie Mullins
• Heart Wood Henry de Bromhead
• Il Est Francais Tom George
• Jango Baie Nicky Henderson
• Jordans Joseph O’Brien
• Kolokico Emmanuel Clayeux
• L’Homme Presse Venetia Williams
• Master Chewy Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
• Panic Attack Dan Skelton
• Riskintheground Dan Skelton
• The Jukebox Man Ben Pauling

The Leading Contenders

Irish-trained Gaelic Warrior is the 6-4 favourite in our antepost horse racing betting for Kempton Park’s £250,000 Boxing Day spectacular, the Grade 1 King George VI Chase. 

The seven-year-old was an impressive winner of the John Durkan at Punchestown, beating a host of impressive names, including the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner (Inothewayurthinkin) and the 2025 Grand National winner (Nick Rockett).  

Also among the 20 entries is previous winner Banbridge (2024) with ten entries from Ireland and one from France (Kolokico), making the race look like a truly international affair. 

French form students will be aware of the exploits of the Emmanuel Clayeux-trained Kolokico (33/1 in our sports betting), knowing full well the horse is not without a chance in this English Grade 1. 

The five-year-old – who is co-owned by his breeders, the Cypres family – finished second to Diamond Carl in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May, second in a hurdle race in September, then second once again in the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin when sent off the favourite. 

The 3m3½f Prix la Haye Jousselin is a key race over the jumps at Auteuil, with the 1990 renewal going to The Fellow, and the 2000 race going to First Gold. Both horses of course came over to the UK to land the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. 

King George VI Chase, William Hill odds: 6/4 Gaelic Warrior, 3/1 Jango Baie, 5/1 The Jukebox Man, 6/1 Fact To File, 14/1 Fastorslow, 14/1 Banbridge, 20/1 Djelo, 20/1 Il Est Francais, 33/1 bar 

Ante-post selection: Kolokiko (E/W)

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*