Leading Contenders for the King George VI

Okay, let's break down this King George VI Chase preview in a more casual way and then I'll give you my top three picks.

So, the King George, a big deal at Kempton on Boxing Day, has been around since 1937. It's a race for real staying chasers, and horses like Kauto Star have made history here. This year, things have gotten interesting with some late entries and big withdrawals.

First off, a French horse, Juntos Ganamos, has been added to the mix. His trainer is putting up some serious cash to get him in the race after some good wins and a third place in a Grade 1 over in France.

Then there's Spillane's Tower, who will? also be running. His owner, JP McManus, already has Corbetts Cross in the race, so he could have two chances to win. Fact To File, another McManus horse, is skipping this one to run against Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown.

The big news is that Willie Mullins pulled all his horses out, including the early favorite, Gaelic Warrior. This has totally changed the race. Now, Spillanes Tower is favourite at 7/2 while Grey Dawning and Il Est Francais? are the joint 2nd favorites at 5/1.

Envoi Allen's been in good form and with Rachel Blackmore in the saddle stands a good chance, winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase recently. Corbetts Cross won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham and has been running well in tough races.

Other horses to watch include last year's winner, Hewick, and last year's runner-up, Bravemansgame. L'Homme Presse is another strong contender.

Because of the Mullins withdrawals, the race could be more tactical. It might not be as fast-paced, which could affect some horses. It also gives other horses a better chance to win, and it's definitely shaken up the betting odds.

My Estimation of the Top Three:

This is a tough one with all the changes, but here's my take:

1. Envoi Allen: His recent form is hard to ignore. He's been winning good races and looks to be in top shape.
2. Corbetts Cross: He's got a lot of potential and has been running well in competitive fields. His Cheltenham win was impressive.
3. Hewick: Even though he hasn't won recently, he was very close to beating Envoi Allen and he has won this race before, so knows what it takes. He is a tough and consistent horse.

The ground could change things dramatically though - if it comes up proper soft, Spillane's Tower could be a really interesting one to throw into the mix.

It's going to be a really exciting race!