Spillane’s Tower Tops King George VI Chase Declarations

The Irish contender, Spillane’s Tower, is set to compete outside Ireland for the first time as it leads the list of 11 horses confirmed for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, scheduled for Boxing Day at 14:30 GMT. This six-year-old horse, under the training of Jimmy Mangan and owned by JP McManus, secured two victories at the premier Grade One level during the previous season. It was included as a supplementary entry last week, alongside The Real Whacker, who finished fourth in last year’s race, and the French entrant Juntos Ganamos. Mark Walsh is slated to ride Spillane’s Tower, which achieved a second-place finish behind Fact to File in its recent return to racing at Punchestown last month. Galopin Des Champs, a two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup victor, placed third in that same event. Owner JP McManus will also be represented by Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmett Mullins, with amateur jockey Derek O’Connor aboard. This year’s race is anticipated to feature the largest number of competitors since 2009. British prospects are spearheaded by Grey Dawning, trained by Dan Skelton, who was the runner-up in the Betfair Chase and a winner at the previous season’s Cheltenham Festival. Additionally, the French entry Il Est Francais is considered a strong contender in the betting odds. Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, previously secured a victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance a year ago, but did not finish its most recent race at Auteuil. Hewick, the victor from last year, has not been entered for this race and is instead scheduled to compete over hurdles at Leopardstown. However, Banbridge, trained by Joseph O’Brien, and Envoi Allen, from Henry de Bromhead’s stable, will make the journey from Ireland, with Paul Townend and Rachael Blackmore as their respective jockeys. Bravemansgame, the winner in 2022, aims to reclaim its title and secure a 14th victory in the race for trainer Paul Nicholls, further extending his record. The lineup is completed by L’Homme Presse, making its initial start since placing fourth in the previous season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup under trainer Venetia Williams. Separately, the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, scheduled for 13:55 GMT, could see former champion hurdler Constitution Hill face off against emerging talent Lossiemouth. Constitution Hill has been absent from competition due to various issues since its victory at Kempton a year ago, but has been confirmed as part of a four-horse field.