It may only be mid-November, but with trees erected up and down the land and black Friday sales running every day of the week, the Festive season is limbering into view.
As ever, we have much to look forward to: mince pies, presents under the tree, unreasonable quantities of turkey, and the delightful company of the mother-in-law…
Besides all of that, December represents a golden spot in the sporting calendar, with a boatload of Premier League fixtures, the PDC World Championship Darts, and a steady stream of high-quality racing action that will be keeping us glued to the fast racing results.
Topping the bill on the racing front is the Boxing Day behemoth of the King George VI Chase from Kempton. First run in 1937, the three-mile showpiece has been claimed by the great and the good of the staying chase game over the years, with Arkle, Desert Orchid, and Kauto Star all taking their place on the roll of honour. It comes as no surprise then, that this event is one of the most eagerly anticipated contests of the season, and the 2024 edition is shaping up to be a cracker.
Mullins Responsible for 33% of the Entries
Given his dominance of jumps racing on both sides of the Irish Sea, it is a little surprising that Willie Mullins has “only” two King George titles. First successful with Florida Pearl in 2001, the master of Closutton waited 20 long years before bagging a second with shock winner Toronado Flyer in 2021.
Going for a third title in 2024, if Mullins misses the target, it won’t be for lack of trying; 24 runners stand their ground as we approach the second week of November – eight of home hail from the Mullins operation.
The impressive Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner Fact To File is a slightly surprising absentee. However, with the following eight to call upon, his services may not be required.
Willie Mullins King George VI Chase Entries
- Gaelic Warrior – Grade 1 winner over trips ranging from two miles to three miles, his finest hour came when storming to a success by almost nine lengths in the 2024 Arkle Chase. Going in the famous Rich Ricci silks, he’s the shortest price of the Mullins squadron
- Galopin Des Champs – The reigning defending two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup champion is the current king of the staying chase hill. This superstar has alternative targets in Ireland but will surely start as the favourite if taking his place in the lineup in this one
- Il Etait Temps – Given the stellar names with whom he shares a yard, Il Etait Temps seems to fly a little under the radar. Now a four-time Grade 1 winner, he was no match for Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle but gained revenge in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown. The six-year-old is yet to tackle three miles but could prove dangerous if staying the distance
- Grangeclare West – Lightly raced for one his age, this eight-year-old sports the famous Chevely Park colours. Promising over hurdles, he has taken to fences like a duck to water. If arriving in the same form as when slamming Corbetts Cross in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase, he could be the horse to cause a shock
- Blue Lord – As a three-time Grade 1 winner, the talent of this Simon Munir & Isaac Souede contender isn’t in doubt. However, he missed all of last season through injury and has yet to race beyond 2m4½f
- Minella Cocooner – Last sighted landing the 3m4½f bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, Minella Cocooner has no concerns in the stamina department. However, whilst he claimed a top-tier event over hurdles, he has so far come up short in Graded chase events
- Capodanno – Despite seeming to have been around forever, this JP McManus representative is still only eight years old. His 2023 season was plagued by inconsistency, but he showed what he could do when mastering The Real Whacker in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase
- Ferny Hollow – With his last eight outings coming over distances of between two miles and 2m1f, the second Cheveley Park runner in the field is the most surprising entry. Nevertheless, he would arrive seeking a seventh win on the spin, with that sequence including victories in the Grade 1 duo of the Champion Bumper and Racing Post Novice Chase