24 entries have been received at the initial entry stage for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse on Saturday 26th December.

The £200,000 Grade 1 contest has attracted multiple entries from a number of domestic and Irish trainers including Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins.

Clan Des Obeaux - the winner in 2018 & 2019 - will be bidding to join the likes of Kauto Star and Desert Orchid by winning a third consecutive King George VI Chase and is currently 3/1 to retain his title with sponsors Ladbrokes. Cyrname is another possible runner for the eleven-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, having recently won the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby over three miles. Nicholls holds the record for most wins in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase since its inception in 1937, boasting eleven wins. Frodon and Real Steel make up his entries for this year’s race.

Champ is the sole entry for champion trainer Nicky Henderson, after a fine victory in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season. Champ is currently 12/1 with sponsors Ladbrokes to give Henderson his fourth success in the race.

Lostintranslation will spearhead the team for dual Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winning trainer Colin Tizzard. Lostintranslation finished third in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March having been pulled up in the King George VI Chase when sent off 15/8 second favourite last year. Slate House is the only other entry for the Dorset based trainer, who won the race with Cue Card (2015) and Thistlecrack (2016).

Harry Whittington has entered both Saint Calvados and Simply The Betts for owners Kate and Andrew Brooks. There is also an entry for last season’s Tingle Creek Chase winner Defi Du Seuil.

Ireland’s champion trainer, Willie Mullins, has three entries as he looks to add to his sole victory in the race in 2001. Allaho finished third behind Champ in the RSA Chase and is currently 8/1 with sponsors Ladbrokes, while Melon - runner up at four consecutive Cheltenham Festivals - and dual Grade one winner Kemboy make up the Mullins team.

Gordon Elliott has entered recent winner of the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal The Storyteller, whilst Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir d’Oudairies could be the trainers’ first runner in the race. There are a total of six Irish entries.

For a full list of entries please see below.

Barney Clifford, Regional Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course, Kempton Park Racecourse, said:

“It is fantastic to see such high-quality horses entered from the UK and Ireland, many of whom have had multiple Grade 1 wins.

“Clan Des Obeaux will be bidding to join the Likes of Kauto Star and Desert Orchid by winning a third consecutive renewal but it will be no easy feat with such strength and depth amongst the entries, not least from his stablemate Cyrname.

“It is the absolute highlight of Kempton Park’s Jumps calendar, so we are looking forward to a brilliantly competitive running of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase."

All entries:

Al Dancer (FR), Allaho (FR), Black Op (IRE), Champ(IRE), Clan Des Obeaux (FR), Cyrname (FR), Defi du Seuil (FR), Fakir d'Oudairies (FR), Frodon (FR), Global Citizen (IRE), Itchy Feet (FR), Kemboy (FR), La Bague Au Roi (FR), Lostintranslation (IRE), Melon (GB), Monalee (IRE), Real Steel (FR), Saint Calvados (FR), Simply The Betts (IRE), Siruh Du Lac (FR), Slate House (IRE), The Storyteller (IRE), Vinndication (IRE), Waiting Patiently (IRE)

For further information please contact:

Hugo Barran, JSC Comms - 020 77362494 or hugo@jsccomms.co.uk