There will be many King George VI Chase betting tips flying about this Christmas as punters try and get their festive expenses paid for. But with this year’s race looking a crackerjack of a renewal there will be a lot of different opinions from pundits being offered.
Including from regular Final Furlong Podcast guest Andy Newton, as he runs the rule over the big Kempton race – which, like every year, will be run on Boxing Day (Fri 26th Dec).
You can also see all the Boxing Day horse racing tips for the ITV Racing on Friday, with six races at Kempton, Aintree and Wetherby.
King George VI Chase Betting Tips: JANGO BAIE To Give Henderson His Fourth King George
We’ve had a few shocks in the King George VI Chase in recent years – with five of the last seven winners returning 12/1+.
Plus we’ve not seen a winning favourite in this Kempton feature since Might Bite powered home for trainer Nicky Henderson in 2017 (eight runnings ago).
However, even though JANGO BAIE might not go off as the market leader – he’s going to be thereabouts with the likes of Gaelic Warrior and The Jukebox Man.
All three look powerhouses in this year’s running – but, for me, the Nicky Henderson-trained Jango Baie looks tailor-made for the King George.
Firstly, he’s only had five runs over fences (10 total races) but has won three of those and is yet to finish out of the first three over the bigger obstacles.
In short, there should be bundles more to come from this six year-old.
He came with a power-packed finish to win the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
And has returned this season after a wind op to impress in the 1965 Chase at Ascot (watch below).
There’s a lot to like……and hopefully more in the offering.
More To Come From Jango Baie Upped In Trip
That last win came over 2m5f, but he was certainly not stopping at the finish to suggest the step up to 3m will bring out even more improvement.
Yes, Kempton is a flatter track and less demanding than other venues where he’s been winning (Ascot and Cheltenham).
However, the King George is often run at a serious pace, so despite the more level course – stamina is certainly a must-have when looking for the King George winner.
He jumps well too, plus has shown he can handle all ground. And I also love the way he sticks his neck out and battles.
The only slight negative is that he’s never run here at Kempton (hurdles or fences), but there is no reason to suggest it won’t suit.
Some might also be put off by his age (six).
However, we’ve seen King George winners of this age (Kicking King, Kauto Star, Long Run and Clan Des Obeaux) since 2004.
While the drying ground will surely be in Jango’s favour too.
I’m happy to take get jiggy with Jango.
Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior and The Jukebox Man Big King George Dangers
The King George VI Chase betting odds suggest (if coming over) Gaelic Warrior will go off as favourite.
This seven year-old will be the top-rated in the field (170) and be looking to give Willie Mullins a third in the race.
Having won the prize in 2001 with Florida Pearl and most recently in 2021 with Tornado Flyer.
The King George has been muted as the ideal race for this Rich Ricci-owned chaser and we know he stays 3m well.
Like Jango Baie, this will be his first try here at Kempton, but the bigger niggle for me is the hard race he had last time in the John Durkan (watch below).
But – did you know?
Gaelic Warrior has been on a three-timer twice before and failed to land the fourth each time – he tries for a third time here.
We Could Get A Repeat Of The John Durkan
And he could take on the second there again Fact To File, with rumours this Mullins runner could also be heading to Kempton.
Last year’s Ryanair Chase winner also had a tough that day at Punchestown though and, for me, I’m not sure a fast run 3 miles is what he wants – will be stay?
That said, he’s sure to have come on for that return run and there is no doubting he’s a high-class performer.
He’ll be looking to give JP McManus his first King George, having bought French-trained First Gold AFTER his win in 2000.
Yes, he’s had 33 days to get over that, but that looked like a brutal tussle with his stablemate Fact To File – so we’ll have to see if its left it’s mark.
While there is a small worry about the form of the Willie Mullins runners at the moment for me – with some not running as well as expected.
It’s also hard to crab the form of The Jukebox Man, who won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase here last season.
The last horse to win the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and follow-up in the King George was Bravemansgame in 2021 and 2022.
He then returned with a smooth win at Haydock last month in the Graduation Chase (watch below).
He’ll need another step up in this company – as having beaten Hyland in the Kauto and Iroko last time doesn’t exactly get the heart pounding.
But he’s a very exciting and improving chaser that the Ben Pauling team are bringing along very well.
Unlike the two ahead of him in the betting, his proven track winning form will be a plus as he looks to hit the back of the net for his popular owner Harry Redknapp.
Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 King George Tips
🥇JANGO BAIE
🥈THE JUKEBOX MAN
🥉GAELIC WARRIOR
KING GEORGE KEY STATS 📈
- 19/23 – Aged 8 or younger
- 17/23 – Finished in the top 3 last time (12 won last race)
- 16/23 – Returned 9/2 or shorter
- 14/23 – Had won a race over fences at Kempton
- 7 of the last winners aged 7 or
- Last winning favourite Might Bite 2017
- Willie Mullins has only won the race twice (2001 and 2021)
- 3 of the last 4 winners Irish-trained (But only 6 in last 39)
2025 King George Winner Banbridge Back For More
We all love seeing the past champs back in action, so hopefully last year’s King George winner Banbridge does come over on Boxing Day to defend his crown.
His chance will increase if Kempton avoids any rain, with his best efforts on fast ground (last year was good ground).
He’s not won a race since taking the King George though (three runs) and if Gaelic Warrior comes over he won’t have Paul Townend riding this time.
Banbridge will be looking to become the first King George ‘back-to-back’ winner since Clan Des Obeaux (2018/19).
Plus join other big multiple winners of the race in recent times – Kicking King, Kauto Star, Long Run, and Silviniaco Conti.
King George VI Chase Runners and Betting Odds 2025
- Gaelic Warrior 5/2
- Fact To File 5/2
- Jango Baie 3/1
- The Jukebox Man 6/1
- Djelo 10/1
- Banbridge 14/1
- Il Est Francais 16/1
- Croke Park 100/1
- Master Chewy 100/1
Note: King George VI Chase betting odds 2025 are subject to change and others on request
King George VI Chase Race Details 2025
📅Date: Friday 26th December 2025
⌚Time: 3:00pm
🏇Racecourse: Kempton
🔄Trip: 3m
💷Winning Purse: £148,098.47
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
King George Chase VI Winners Since 2005
- 2024 – Banbridge (7/1)
- 2023 – Hewick (12/1)
- 2022 – Bravemansgame (11/4)
- 2021 – Tornado Flyer (28/1)
- 2020 – Frodon (20/1)
- 2019 – Clan Des Obeaux (11/2)
- 2018 – Clan Des Obeaux (12/1)
- 2017 – Might Bite (6/4 fav)
- 2016 – Thistlecrack (11/10 fav)
- 2015 – Cue Card (9/2)
- 2014 – Silviniaco Conti (15/8 fav)
- 2013 – Silviniaco Conti (7/2)
- 2012 – Long Run (15/8 fav)
- 2011 – Kauto Star (3/1)
- 2010 – Long Run (9/2)
- 2009 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
- 2008 – Kauto Star (10/11 fav)
- 2007 – Kauto Star (4/6 fav)
- 2006 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
- 2005 – Kicking King (11/8 fav)
- 2004 – Kicking King (3/1 fav)
- 2003 – Edredon Bleu (25/1)
- 2002 – Best Mate (11/8 fav)
