King George VI Chase Ante Post Runner By Runner Guide

Trainer - Nicky Henderson

Jockey - Nico De Boinville

Grade 1s - 4

This is one of last season's chasing stars that went on to take this race last year with ease and also backed that up with the Betway Bowl Chase at the Grand National meeting. He is a classy type but on his seasonal reappearance this season was very disappointing in the Betfair Chase at Haydock finishing last of the five runner field and is said to be "Lacking Confidence" by his trainer and will really need find his best performance to defend his title.

Trainer - Ruth Jefferson

Jockey - Brian Hughes

Grade 1s - 1

This unbeaten chaser has not yet been seen this season but if anything like he was last season, he will be a force to be reckoned with. He missed the Cheltenham festival last season to go to the Grand National meeting but picked up a injury setback and has not been seen since. Before that his highlight of last season was taking the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase romping to victory and beating Cue Card in the process.

Trainer - Colin Tizzard

Jockey - Richard Johnson

Grade 1 - 2

This defending Cheltenham Gold Cup winner started his season off last weekend and ran a respectable race to finish second in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase on ground that really does not suit him. Currently sitting third favourite in the market but if the ground goes softer before the off he has to be the one to beat after last years exploits.

Trainer - Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey - Daryl Jacob

Grade 1s - 4

This seven year old has started the season in great style beating five of the best chasers around on ground that he does not like to land the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, still has a lot to prove as now the other horses have had a run and he normally goes well fresh but if he can back this win up with another victory he will be one away from the £1 million triple crown.

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Sam Twiston-Davies

Grade 1s - 2

This grey seven year old has just got better and better with every season it has been racing and last season was his best landing the Tingle Creek at Sandown and then finishing off in style by taking the JLT Melling Chase. This season he has started from where he left off by running a nice race to land the Grade 2 Christy 1965 chase at Ascot last weekend and is now ready to step up to three miles to challenge the big chasers, if taking to the step up in trip he could land a real suprise.

Trainer - Colin Tizzard

Jockey - Tom Scudamore

Grade 1s - 4

This 10 year old superstar had not been seen since Boxing Day 2017 where he tried to defend his title in this race after winning it 2016. However, he came back for his seasonal debut in the Betfair Chase where he ran on to finish third and show glimpses that he still has the ability he once had. He was probably the biggest horse to take out of the race and if building from that and dictating from the front he could comeback to land this race for the second time.

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Paul Townend

Grade 1s - 4

It wouldn't be a big Grade 1 jumps race without a Willie Mullins horse and this four time Grade 1 winner packs a bunch for the Irish Raiders. He was last seen at the Punchestown festival last season winning the Gold Cup, he will need a run before this race to be at his best against this field but is not completely out of the question and has place claims.

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Ruby Walsh

Grade 1s - 6

Another Mullins horse that could step up for the yard is last seasons 2 mile chasing superstar Footpad who was immense last season smashing that division and now being primed to step up to three miles to compete in the King George. His seasonal debut was one to forget for both the horse and the rider by being way off the pace and then falling to add fuel to the fire. He will need to bounce back from that to have a chance in this one.

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Bryony Frost

Grade 1s - 1

This chasing superstar for Paul Nicholls was a revelation last season only being supposed to run at a maximum of Listed level he smashed the stereotype and went on to land a Grade 1 in the Kauto Star Novices Chase. He is the apple of his jockeys eye and on his seasonal reappearance finished a good second behind Definitely Red in the Charlie Hall Chase and it would take a life time best to land this.

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Harry Cobden

Grade 1s - 0

Another for the Nicholls yard is Clan Des Obeaux who is a really smart horse but in this company is slightly out of his depth and that showed in a respectable running in the Betfair Chase where he came fourth and ran well but never looked like winning it and will do well to outrun these odds.