The King George is Finnish Along with Kempton

Look  back a few Years at the winners ,the Games long gone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_VI_Chase

When one yard has most of the 10 best staying chasers you won't get all of them running.

And where have all the French trained ones that used to run, and win, back in the day?

Where are , not have

Personally think it is a cracking renewal this year.

So do I brandy

this thread must be a wind up . if all/ most stand their ground its a terrific contest .

john durkan 1st & 2nd, last year's 1st & 2nd, multiple grade 1 winning novices from last term, denman charlie hall & peterborough chase winner this year
what more do you want think its a belting renewal personally

OP has been on the sauce I think. Looks a good race this year.

a  fair few who can go from the front should be a cracker .

Great piece from Richard Forristal in the RP on Thursday RE: the likely demise of Kempton

this thread must be a wind up

Not at all take the two Mullins horses out what are we left with ?

Kauto ,Dessie, One Man, Wayward lad Among others that were the Boxing day stars

if Mullins wasnt Coming JaNgo would be Jolly to win a King George

All the Monies for Jango ,Could go off Jolly

Favour warrior

The OP is clueless or inebriated

Historically, the King George has been about established three mile chasers being taken on by those who are proven at shorter distances who think they might get away with a step up in distance on a sharp track.

The big problem with this year's race is where are the established three mile chasers. Name one who is actually better over three miles? Then you have a horse like Djelo who has shown on multiple occasions (0/5) that he isn't a Grade 1 horse at any trip.

Looking elsewhere on Boxing Day it is very disappointing that the Formby is missing both Act Of Innocence and Upon Tweed. Why have they cried off? I was hoping this might be the first serious test for the Supreme favourite, in fact the only test for him prior to March. It now looks like a weak Grade 1.

Obviously disappointing that act of innocence and upon tweed are missing but as recent history goes with uk national hunt it’s nots surprising,however I still think the formby will test the favourite.

DD

UPON TWEED has had a setback (not serious) and is just back walking, and will hopefully be back in the spring.

The first King George I remember Mill House beat a veteran two-miler of Cazalet's,Blue Dolphin I think,in a two horse race. I was still quite excited. In my early teens just seeing Mill House jump round on a 14" black and white TV was enough for me.

Not been to the king George for a few years but what an atmosphere ,the day kauto won his last was incredible at least the equal I’ve ever witnessed at Cheltenham.

It’s been a great race down the years hopefully this years will join the list of great king George’s.

Thanks Saxon. Sad news. Hopefully, they can get him back in time for Aintree, which would seem more likely than Cheltenham.

This years race is a cracker imo, they have 28 Class 1 wins between them, bring it on.

Agree Tiger. I shan't be there but rarely miss it on TV. I am only 25 miles from Wincanton but after a couple of tries and missing races in traffic I decided never again. I did see Bula win a novice hurdle there one Boxing Day. The saddest day at Kempton was when Dunkirk tried to run Arkle off his feet and was killed in the attempt. It looks like decent ground for Friday. The wettest I have seen was when Best Mate walked home in front desperately tired but so were his rivals. Horrible track when heavy.

Can we highlight a future Superstar among them ? Pre Race TYIA

The last 4 winners have Hardly set the world light

will Ed have the Count Down clock on to add to the Build up ?

Thought Djelo could nick a Place

G luck to all aving a punt , and hopefully all safe Sound  after the race

The Mullins Barn a bit short of Winners lately   ?

Not a situation that lasts over Christmas,Nanny

nope Rudolph maybe short of Carrots

Was there Sage , had my money on Dunkirk , luckily it was down the far side . Saw one other of his wins and like all other racing fans at that time was heartbroken re the injury . Might even have sent a GWS card , things were different then .

I'm going tomorrow and have been looking forward to it all week.
Added bonus that Tapley is running in the first so got a O & T badge so that's a right result.

We don't fancy our chances b.t.w.

All the best Slippy, enjoy your day.

Good luck Slippy.

best of luck slippy

Thanks very much gents, I'm heading off shortly to get a good plot for the day.

Best of luck with your punting this afternoon.

OP has clearly been on the it all Christmas.

This race actually has an upcoming ‑clash vibe. There’s always someone insisting that “things were better back in my day,” even when the data, the performances, and the sheer depth of modern competition tell a completely different story. Sport evolves, athletes evolve, training evolves — pretending otherwise is just nostalgia doing what nostalgia does.
This race is stacked. A field so deep that you could pick a dozen runners and still miss the winner. Races like this are few and far between outside the big festivals. It’s the kind of lineup where one mistake or one brilliant move can swing everything.

One to enjoy

The idea that everything moves on is absolute nonsense, usually spouted by lazy people who have a limited idea of history.

It's a competitive race, but far from a great one, for the reasons I have already given. The cheerleading bug has clearly taken hold. I did ask for one established top class three mile chaser in the line up? I assume nobody has answered because there isn't one.

Horse racing today isn’t just a bit better than in previous generations — it’s almost a different sport in terms of athleticism, data, training science, and depth of competition. The nostalgia crowd hates hearing that, but the evidence is overwhelming.

Here’s a clear, structured look at how and why the modern era is stronger.

How Horse Racing Today Surpasses Previous Generations
Horses are simply faster and fitter, the modern training methods produce animals that are:

Fitter earlier, Conditioned more precisely, Able to maintain high cruising speeds for longer

Even comparing times is tricky because courses vary, but the average performance level today is far higher. A mid‑tier graded horse now would look like a monster in many past eras.

Video analysis, Pace data, Fitness training, Sports psychology, The tactical depth of races today is far greater than in the past.

The depth of competition is the biggest difference this is the part people underestimate.

In the past, a superstar could dominate because the field behind them was shallow.
Today, a “good” horse gets swallowed by the pack unless it’s exceptional.

That’s why comparing a finished legend to a young horse just starting out is lazy analysis — the modern field is deeper, faster, and more competitive.

If you placed a top horse from the 1970s or 1980s into a modern Grade 1 field, they’d struggle to keep up with the average runners, never mind the elite.

The sport has evolved in every measurable way:

Faster

Fitter

Smarter

Deeper

More global

More scientific

Nostalgia is powerful, but it doesn’t change reality.

So trying to pick out a superstar today is simple, the field is full of superstars. The race has multiple cheltenham and Liverpool winners racing over a soft 3 miles which subsequently attracts 2 1/2 milers pushing the boundaries, as said, its a very good race were the winner will have had to earn it.

Something you would expect AI to deliver, and surely if the 8 are deemed superstars, none of them are.

What a run, hope your tickers alright Slippy.

great run from yours slippy,ya  musta had a few quid ew slips well done

hadn't seen this , Great Run  by Tappers

I was roaring it on

run a burster for you slippy

That was some Finnish

1 of the races of the ssn

Great Race  ,  Looks a decent type the Winner

The best horse won. No excuse. All jumped well. I think Mr Mullins could be cursing his jockeys for racing each other in the John Durkan.

was obvious they had hard race

people calling it schooling race like it was beginners chase

everything else was

unlike the kg

What a thrilling day, our lad Tapley ran his heart out and did himself proud despite not winning.
Actually, that really didn't seem to matter as the joy and excitement he gave to us all well, that was priceless really.

Approaching two out we were shouting ourselves hoarse and a massive adrenaline rush to boot!

A really wonderful day.
Well done Tappers.

Never been to market rasen Boxing Day but been to all the others and quite simply kempton is on another planet it really is the only place to go ,no matter where you live those who haven’t been should make the effort before it’s to late ,as slippy says it’s a wonderful day.