King George VI Chase: Katie Midwinter's runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 prediction

• Katie Midwinter provides a runner-by-runner guide to Boxing Day's feature

• Nine confirmations for the Grade 1 contest

• Willie Mullins-trained pair share favouritism at the head of the market

• Betfair Sportsbook each-way terms 1/5 odds, three places

• Read all about Betfair's Boxing Day free bet offer here

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Gaelic Warrior

5/23.50 favourite to win the King George VI Chase

Likeable gelding Gaelic Warrior hasn't been without his quirks during an eventful career to date, but has been a force to be reckoned with on a good day and should prove tough to beat once again if he turns up in similar form to his latest run at Punchestown.

The Closutton representative made all to beat stablemate Fact To File in the John Durkan on his return to action last month, fighting back once headed by the eventual second, displaying a great attitude and tenacious qualities.

The versatile contender, who won the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival last year, has been effective over varied distances and in varying ground conditions too. He beat Il Etait Temps in a memorable Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick in heavy conditions a couple of years ago, and was also effective over 3m1f on a sounder surface in the Aintree Bowl this year.

Bidding for a fourth successive win and his third Grade One of 2025, Gaelic Warrior is difficult to oppose. He seems to have a preference for a right-handed track and Kempton should suit the usually sound jumper perfectly.

If he can get into a good rhythm, Gaelic Warrior should thrive in this prestigious event and has to be top of the shortlist.

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Fact To File

3/14.00 to win the King George VI Chase

A talented performer who has already won four Grade One contests over fences, including a Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Fact To File holds leading claims coming into this prestigious race.

He was narrowly denied in an excellent renewal of the John Durkan when last seen at Punchestown, beaten only by stablemate Gaelic Warrior when pulling more than 29-lengths clear of third-placed Fasatorslow.

That was an excellent return to action in a race he had won 12 months prior, when beating a field which included Galopin Des Champs, and the gelding may take a step forward for his reappearance, capable of showing further improvement in his second start of this current campaign.

The eight-year-old point winner possesses plenty of class and talent and could prove tough to beat if turning up at his best. There's plenty to like about his chances in the race, with plenty of Grade One form in his favour, and he holds a solid chance for top connections.

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Jango Baie

4/15.00 to win the King George VI Chase

Nicky Henderson-trained Jango Baie impressed to win convincingly at Ascot in his seasonal reappearance. That was his first run since a third-placed effort in the Manifesto at Aintree, when beaten a length-and-a-quarter by Impaire Et Passe, and it was a brilliant return to action following a 233-day break and wind surgery.

At the Cheltenham Festival, Jango Baie put in a magnificent finishing effort to win the Arkle, beating a classy field which included Only By Night and L'Eau du Sud, both of whom have enhanced the form, as well as the short-priced favourite Majborough. He finished exceptionally well over the minimum distance on that occasion, but shaped as though he'd be better suited to more of a staying test and duly obliged when upped to 2m5f in his latest start.

The further step up in trip should be of little concern based on his most recent outing, and there could be even further improvement to come from the lightly raced chaser over this extended distance.

A horse on an upward trajectory with the ceiling of his ability unknown, Jango Baie is an intriguing contender who could be capable of posing a dangerous threat. He possesses plenty of speed and will likely be finishing strongly in the closing stages.

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The Jukebox Man

6/17.00 to win the King George VI Chase

Improving gelding The Jukebox Man has to step up and find further improvement to match the level shown by the leading contenders in this field, but comes into the race unexposed and with a perfect record over fences for Ben Pauling.

Three from three as a chaser so far, the lightly raced contender returned from a 331-day break with an impressive win over subsequent winner Iroko at Haydock on Betfair Chase Day, jumping well from the front to prevail by two-and-a-half-lengths.

Entitled to improve for his return to action, the seven-year-old could have plenty of further progression to come and has already won a Grade One over this course-and-distance in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase 12 months ago.

With course form in his favour and the scope for any amount of improvement, this classy performer is an exciting prospect for an in-form yard. He showed glimpses of star quality as a novice hurdler and has so far been seen to great effect over the larger obstacles.

This could be the perfect race for The Jukebox Man, who must now prove his Grade One credentials in open company against tough, experienced rivals.

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Djelo

10/111.00 to win the King George VI Chase

Having won two Grade Two contests already this term, including a comfortable success in the Peterborough Chase when last seen, Djelo deserves another crack at a Grade One and comes into the race in good form bidding for a hat-trick of wins.

He'll have to show significant improvement if he is to land this prestigious prize, however, having been well beaten by the likes of Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior at the big spring festivals last season.

The Venetia Williams-trained runner has plenty to find to reverse form with some of his rivals but he is usually seen to best effect earlier on during his campaigns, therefore could be capable of an improved performance on his return to this company.

On ratings, Djelo is among the leading British hopefuls in the race. He could show further improvement and has had the perfect preparation. This is a tough task but he's generally a solid jumper and has proven form over the distance. He has the qualities and ability to put in a good effort, but may find himself outclassed by some of the leading runners.

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Banbridge

14/115.00 to win the King George VI Chase

Defending champion Banbridge pounced late to beat Il Est Francais in last year's renewal under Paul Townend. He had previously unseated at the last obstacle when in contention in the Grade Two Hilly Way at Cork won by Energumene, but comes into the race on the back of a hefty defeat at the Mallow track this time around.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained runner hasn't enjoyed the most favourable preparation having been well beaten in all three runs this calendar year. He has shown little form since his win here last winter which is a concern.

His latest run may be worth forgiving on the back of a break over the minimum trip, however, he'll need to bounce back by showing significant improvement if he is to retain his crown. Whilst he cannot be discounted considering his proven form in the race, the nine-year-old does face a tougher task this time around.

At his best, Banbridge should be in contention but will have to be in exceptional form to beat the field should others turn up on a going day.

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Il Est Francais

16/117.00 to win the King George VI Chase

Il Est Francais has become an enigma in recent seasons, struggling for consistency but displaying dazzling ability at times including when a magnificent winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase here two years ago.

Since then, the son of Karaktar has failed to win two on the bounce, often underperforming, sometimes having reasonable excuses. He has become unreliable but has always seemed to turn up at Kempton, suited by the jumping test and the nature of this right-handed track.

Should the real Il Est Francais turn up, as he did in last year's renewal, he will be tough to beat at his best. He can get into a brilliant rhythm out in front when enjoying himself, and put in a gallant effort when beaten in second by Banbridge twelve months ago.

Returning from a pulled up effort at Ascot is far from ideal, however, he came into the race in the same situation last year having failed to compete at Auteuil, therefore has shown he has the ability to bounce back from a disappointing showing.

Impossible to rule out, Il Est Francais holds leading claims if he is at his best, but whether or not he will turn up in the same form as his previous Christmas appearances here remains to be seen.

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Master Chewy

66/167.00 to win the King George VI Chase

A dual Grade Two winning chaser, Master Chewy has winning form over the minimum trip at this track and finished a creditable second to Hitman on his return to action at Aintree in October. He is a capable performer on his day but has fallen short at this level in open company and further improvement is required if he is to make his mark in the race.

As a novice chaser, however, Master Chewy was able to hold his own against Found A Fifty, now rated 164, in the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase. He was in the process of running with credit when alongside Il Etait Temps in the Arkle won by Gaelic Warrior, too, before coming down at the second last.

Whilst he's shown glimpses of top level ability during his career to date, it's hard to envisage Master Chewy emerging as the best of this field come Boxing Day evening but he holds an each-way chance at his best if he enjoys himself over this extra distance.

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Croke Park

*Please Note: Croke Park was scratched at the final declaration stage

A three-time winner over fences, Croke Park is no forlorn hope for Gordon Elliott in this contest but will have to find further improvement if he is to match up with those towards the top of the market.

The son of Walk In The Park has two Grade One wins to his name as a novice chaser, including over an extended three miles over the Christmas period last year. He has only just done enough in both of his top level successes, beating Heart Wood by a neck at Fairyhouse, defying the odds to return the 22/123.00 winner on that occasion, before prevailing by a head over Better Days Ahead at Leopardstown.

The seven-year-old has experience in novice company at the top table, but was found wanting in the Manifesto at Aintree, reported to never have been travelling, and hasn't been quite as effective as last term in two runs so far this season.

Croke Park has become exposed against tough opposition but has shown to possess plenty of ability as a chaser in the past and could have his part to play for the places if at his very best.

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Katie Midwinter's King George VI Chase Prediction

1. Gaelic Warrior

2. Il Est Francais

3. The Jukebox Man

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Now read Mark Milligan's Boxing Day tips featuring two bets at Kempton

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