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The 2025 King George VI Chase

Ian_Davies

Ian_Davies

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There are 20 entries and it's surely now time for a thread.

As previously stated, I think, despite the level nature of the circuit, you need a beast who genuinely stays 3m on a Park Course in this.

For every Edredon Bleu, there's a Vautour or an Analogs Daughter who didn't quite get home.

It also has a rich history of multiple winners and to me it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see Banbridge and Il Est Francais (despite his issues) bounce back to form in it.

I thought Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior had hard races at Punchestown and I wouldn't want a short price about either.

Jango Baie did it well at Ascot, but has stamina to prove, The Jukebox Man impressed at Haydock Park and Panic Attack is now only one leg away from doing a Bachelors Hall.

Kolokico is a smashing 5yo, but he stays really well and this might not be a severe enough test for him.

Fascinating race.

Ante-Post Betting: https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ante-post-racing/national-hunt/king-george-vi-chase/winner
 
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Imo Fact to File didnt have a hard race against Gaelic he was never off the bridle until after the last. Personally although he kept coming up a bit short against GDP last season at 3mile i'd think he'd be an absolute knocking e/w bet in this. Doubt he turns up though. Wouldnt like to pick between Garlic, Jango, The juke box man or as Ian says last years winner. It'd be a great contest if they all turn up but in recent years it hasnt been the case.

Would also say that i did my spuds betting this antepost last year i thought Grey Dawning would walk it and had huge prices about him doing so only for him the make a mess of the first and run no sort of race. Think SkeleScum ( still no love even after Panic attack saved my week) is currently aiming him at the Cotswolds chase but if he did send him here it would be sods law if he won it i'd literally kick next doors cat into the new year.
 
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Danny said:
Imo Fact to File didnt have a hard race against Gaelic he was never off the bridle until after the last. Personally although he kept coming up a bit short against GDP last season at 3mile i'd think he'd be an absolute knocking e/w bet in this. Doubt he turns up though. Wouldnt like to pick between Garlic, Jango, The juke box man or as Ian says last years winner. It'd be a great contest if they all turn up but in recent years it hasnt been the case.

Would also say that i did my spuds betting this antepost last year i thought Grey Dawning would walk it and had huge prices about him doing so only for him the make a mess of the first and run no sort of race. Think SkeleScum ( still no love even after Panic attack saved my week) is currently aiming him at the Cotswolds chase but if he did send him here it would be sods law if he won it i'd literally kick next doors cat into the new year.
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Skeltons said Grey Dawning will never go right handed again.
 
Give me Boxing Day racing across UK and IRE over Cheltenham in March every time thank you.
Aintree, Fontwell, Kempton, Market Rasen, Sedgefield, Wetherby, Wincanton, Wolverhampton AW, Down Royal, Leopardstown, Limerick.
 
pawras said:
Give me Boxing Day racing across UK and IRE over Cheltenham in March every time thank you.
Aintree, Fontwell, Kempton, Market Rasen, Sedgefield, Wetherby, Wincanton, Wolverhampton AW, Down Royal, Leopardstown, Limerick.
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💯% - Boxing Day is one of my favourite day's racing of the year.

In the past I've attended Kempton Park, Wetherby, Market Rasen and Wincanton on this day.

But this year I'll be chez moi, knee deep in Turkey sandwiches, and on my second Christmas Pudding inside 48 hours.
 
Ian_Davies said:
💯% - Boxing Day is one of my favourite day's racing of the year.

In the past I've attended Kempton Park, Wetherby, Market Rasen and Wincanton on this day.

But this year I'll be chez moi, knee deep in Turkey sandwiches, and on my second Christmas Pudding inside 48 hours.
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I've been to the King George a couple of times when I lived within easy reach of Kempton.

I do all the buying/prep/cooking Christmas Day so that Boxing Day is my day and I sit my arse down and do fk all but watch the racing etc all day and I'm interupted on pain of death.
 
Danny said:
Imo Fact to File didnt have a hard race against Gaelic he was never off the bridle until after the last. Personally although he kept coming up a bit short against GDP last season at 3mile i'd think he'd be an absolute knocking e/w bet in this. Doubt he turns up though. Wouldnt like to pick between Garlic, Jango, The juke box man or as Ian says last years winner. It'd be a great contest if they all turn up but in recent years it hasnt been the case.
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I thought so too at the time but saw a quote from Mark Walsh saying he was flat out all the way. Willie also said both the first two had hard races.
 
I think they are bound to say that but i didnt really see Walsh niggling him along i thought he seemed fairly motionless. I might be wrong ill have to rewatch the race.
 
I go with the flow for the patter with such as Danny, but personally I find Cheltenham in March far far too overhyped, I think racing would be better served if the numb cnts at the BHA etc promoted Boxing Day much more, given all the courses on at different geographic locations on a day when most people are on holiday.

Anyway here's the trial race stats for the King George
 

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15 left in at the latest declaration stage and the big 4 (maybe 5 if you include last years winner) have all stood their ground. I was so glad to see Fact to File left in as I think he deserves to take his chance. If they all line up I think it's going to be one of the highest quality renewals we've seen for quite some time and whoever comes out on top is going to be a hell of a horse.

On a more selfish note I was so glad to see that Skelton has withdrawn Panic attack as for a minute there I thought he was going to completely screw up her Handicap mark off of which I think gives her every chance of winning the Grand National. It renews hope that he's thinking along the same lines as I am and just hoping beyond hope that she isn't seen again until after the weights are released in Mid feb.
 
Danny said:
It renews hope that he's thinking along the same lines as I am
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It is, for sure, a bizarre world where someone can detest another yet hope they think the same way.

From what I've seen and heard, you're both located circa the Midlands and it seems you both like your food - the two Daniels are virtually blood brothers, if not actual twins, separated at birth!
 
Tbh I think the detest thing is taking it a bit far. Although I may be the only one I was always a big fan of Paul Nicholls and it's been hard to see the man who for me was the master of the training ranks decline in recent years, and I suppose it's been harder to see the apprentice become the new master. None of it's from a betting point of view as for Paul Nicholls when he was at his pomp the amount of times I tried to find some value against his hotpots doesn't bare thinking about including the likes of Kauto and Big bucks and never to much avail. Skelton on the other hand before he really blew up provided me with the biggest single winner of my betting life. So I should have more affection for him than I do. For some reason I couldn't help but smile (when I knew I shouldn't) as Mullins mugged him last year for the title. I'm really not a fan of the Mullins domination so in reality I should've should of been cheering Skelton. I think he'll become champ this year and fair play to him and hopefully if Panic attack winning the National is a part of that the crowning of the new king will be a little easier to bear. Who knows in time he may well grow on me and one day we might even be able to share a pie or two together.
 
For something I posted elsewhere I noticed that 2016 was the last time a runner from King George VI went on to win the Gold Cup in March
 
Tbh there have been some pretty poor King George's in recent years and a lot of Irish trained no shows. Hopefully this year will be different and end up being a better race. Although that said the top lot from last years Gold cup won't be in attendance so still a solid chance the stat will continue for a little while longer.
 
Here's the past King George winners and their 3 runs leading up to the race.
 

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