As ever, the big racing highlight of the festive period comes at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. First run in 1937, the King George VI Chase never fails to serve up a post-Christmas cracker as the best staying chasers in the business do battle over three miles and 18 formidable fences.
With £250,000 in guaranteed prize money, the King George attracts a quality cast from both sides of the Irish Sea. That looks set to be the case again in 2024, but one rather surprising name will be absent from the list of Irish trainers on show.
First successful with Florida Pearl in 2001 and more recently with Tornado Flyer in 2021, many racing fans expected the all-conquering Willie Mullins to send over at least one strong challenger in 2024. However – barring a late supplementary change of heart – that will not be the case.
Eight Becomes Zero
Ahead of the latest forfeit stage, Mullins held eight entries in the King George. That number now stands at zero, with the County Carlow handler opting to remove all eight from the field. In the absence of an official explanation, we can only assume that Mullins prefers alternative targets for the following stars:
- Gaelic Warrior – Three-time Grade 1 winner, including the 2024 Arkle Chase, who had been trading as the clear favourite before his withdrawal
- Galopin Des Champs – The withdrawal of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was no real surprise, with the horse expected to head to Leopardstown for his festive assignment
- Il Etait Temps – Four-time Grade 1 winner but unraced beyond 2m4f
- Blue Lord – Successful three times at the highest level but, like Il Etait Temps, this trip may have taken him out of his comfort zone
- Capodanno – A Grade 1 winner over three miles in his novice days, but was pulled up in his seasonal return in the Betfair Chase
- Ferny Hollow – One of the most fragile horses in the yard, this Cheveley Park Stud runner is unbeaten over fences. However, with all three wins coming over around two miles, he always looked unlikely to line up here
- Grangeclare West – An impressive six-length winner over three miles in December 2023 but disappointed when pulled up in the John Durkan Memorial Chase on his return from injury
- Minella Cocooner – 2024 bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase winner who twice finished runner up in Grade 1 company in his hurdling days
Eight withdrawals certainly grab the attention. However, on closer inspection, not too many of the above were ever likely to take their place in the final field. Galopin Des Champs has swerved this race throughout his career. Il Etait Temps, Blue Lord, and Ferny Hollow are untested over the trip. Grangeclare West looked like a shadow of himself on his first run in almost a year last time, whilst Minella Cocooner was beaten by 25 lengths in his only previous Grade 1 Chase.
Of the octet, perhaps only Gaelic Warrior and Capodanno looked legitimate contenders. Capodanno would have started amongst the outsiders, but the absence of Arkle king Gaelic Warrior left a hole at the head of the market.
Eight Out but Ireland Still Hold the Aces
The ears of British trainers may have pricked up upon hearing the news of Mullins’ absence. However, it is a testament to the strength in depth of the Irish racing scene that the new market leader hails from the Emerald Isle, as does the second favourite in the betting.
Your new King George favourite is the Emmet (nephew of Willie) Mullins runner Corbetts Cross. Going in the green and gold of JP McManus, this seven-year-old has yet to score in Grade 1 company but turned the 2024 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival into a 17-length one-horse race. He’s widely available at around 4/1 to register a first Grade 1 in one of the most prestigious events of the season.
Corbetts Cross may not have broken his duck at the highest level, but the Henry De Bromhead-trained Envoi Allen has been there and bought the Grade 1 t-shirt on no fewer than nine occasions. Back to his best when mastering Hewick in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase in March, he seems likely to prove popular with punters at a general price of 4/1 also.
