The King George is the traditional Boxing Day highlight of the National Hunt season, and the 2017 King George could be one of the most competitive renewals of the race for many a year if all the horses currently at the head of the King George ante-post market turn up on the day.
Of course, the big question is which one of them will add their name to a role of honour that includes some of the most iconic chasers in history, with past winners including Arkle, Mill House, Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid, Best Mate and five-time winner Kauto Star. Therefore, it’s time to take a look at the trends that may give us a clue to which horse may emerge victorious come the big day, as well as the major runners.
King George Trends
- 15 of the 17 winners this century have been aged between 6 and 9, with the other two winners aged 11.
- Four horses this century have won the race on at least two occasions
- 10 favourites have won this century
- SP’s have ranged from 8/13 to 25/1
Major Runners
Thistlecrack
Connections decided to pitch their former World Hurdle winner in at the deep end during last year’s novice chase campaign, but that decision paid off handsomely as Thistlecrack stormed to victory in the King George. Missed the Cheltenham Gold Cup after that with an injury, but trainer Colin Tizzard says he’s returned as good as ever.
Might Bite
Was a good winner over hurdles at Kempton, and would have been an even more impressive winner of the Kauto Star Novices Chase but for falling at the last. It’s also worth noting he would have clocked a time several seconds faster over the course and distance of the King George than Thistlecrack achieved in winning the big race later on the card. He then went onto win the win the big 3-mile novice chases at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.
Sizing John
A step up in trip to 3-miles saw him step well and truly out of Douvan’s shadow last season, and the 7-year-old made his own little bit of history by achieving the previously unprecedented treble of the Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup. Reportedly being aimed at a different treble this year though, as connections have set their sights on winning the £1 Million Bonus for winning the Betfair Chase, King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Cue Card
11-year-olds have won 2 of the last 17 renewals, but it’s surely asking a lot of the 2015 winner to regain his title after not quite hitting the same heights last season. This King George could also be a lot tougher than the renewal he won – but the appreciative Kempton crowd would go wild if he could pull it off.
Coneygree
Mark Bradstock’s 10-year-old is former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, but arguably his best performance came when pulverising his field in the Kaito Star Novices Chase. Suffered with niggling injuries since, but the sight of him and Might Bite taking each other on up front could be a sight to behold.
Djakadam
Surprisingly, Willie Mullins hasn’t won the King George since Florida Pearl won in 2001, but it could be the perfect race for Djakadam who has proved his liking for right-handed courses. Perhaps more of an each-way bet though, as he’s been beaten in big races by the likes of Sizing John and Coneygree.
2017 King George Tip
If Thistlecrack, Might Bite, Sizing John, Cue Card, Coneygree and Djakadam all turn up on the big day, this could easily be the most thrilling King George ever. However, as Might Bite looked such as natural over these fences last year until the last fence, he’s fancied to atone for that mistake this year.