King George VI Chase Runners 2023: Bravemansgame, Shishkin and Gerri Colombe feature
Bravemansgame, Shishkin and Gerri Colombe feature among the list of 16 horses entered for the 2023 King George VI Chase, which will take place at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Christmas cracker is set to be a fabulous renewal. Here at Horseracing.net we take a look at the potential runners for the showpiece event on December 26 and also take a look at the latest odds for the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup trial...
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Paul Nicholls claimed a record-breaking 13th win in the King George VI Chase last season as Bravemansgame was a fabulous winner of the Boxing Day showpiece and the Ditcheat raider is one of the star names entered for the 2023 renewal. However, having suffered a shock defeat to Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his comeback run, Bravemansgame was then beaten in the Betfair Chase by Royale Pagaille, so he's on a comeback mission. Sublime when winning this race 12 months ago the Nicholls raider will need to replicate that display to try and retain his crown.
Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup form continues to be hit as Galopin Des Champs was beaten by Fastorslow in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in late November, but he still remains entered for the event. But, it's more than likely the Willie Mullins-trained raider will stay on home soil over the festive period and he's big odds in the betting.
The Irish-trained runner that has been heavily supported is Gordon Elliott's Gerri Colombe, who kicked off his campaign with a battling win in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Cullentra House inmate could be Kempton bound. Second in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase last season behind The Real Whacker, Gerri Colombe showed his class when winning an Aintree Grade 1 and he could be a real Gold Cup contender this season.
Nicky Henderson's Shishkin is one certainly set to take his chance in this event and he showed he can blossom over three miles when winning the Bowl at Aintree and the dual Cheltenham Festival winner is look to show his Gold Cup credentials by claiming victory here. The Seven Barrows star relished the step up in trip at Aintree, but he disgraced himself on his first start this year as he refused to race at Ascot when well fancied for the 1965 Chase.
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Dual Ryanair Chase winner Allaho returned to the track with a decent victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase and he's a prominent figure in this event, and should he take his chance in this contest then could be a really fascinating runner for the abovementioned Mullins, but it's unknown where he will next be seen.
A former winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, L'Homme Presse was last seen on the track unseating his rider in the 2022 King George VI Chase, so the Venetia Williams-trained raider could return to Kempton a year later to try and make amends and he's another adding huge depth to the race.
Dan Skelton's Protektorat, who failed to sparkle in the Betfair Chase is another top notch entry, with Edwardstone and Frodon another classy brace of entries for what should be a blinding renewal on Boxing Day.