It’s that time of year when the National Hunt meetings come thick and fast, and no sooner has one festival ended than another major announcement is made.
This time, it is the official list for the King George VI Chase 2025, scheduled for December 26th at Kempton, has attracted 20 high‑class entries, setting up a Boxing Day showpiece stacked with depth, Irish power, and a potential rematch between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File.
With last year’s winner Banbridge among a contingent of Irish challengers and rising British stars like Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man in the mix, Kempton’s mid-season championship is shaping up as one of the races of the year.
Season Building to Boxing Day
The National Hunt season is now in full swing, with Punchestown and Ascot providing early markers for the staying chase division.
Gaelic Warrior’s gripping John Durkan win over Fact To File at Punchestown and Jango Baie’s decisive success in the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase at Ascot have sharpened the focus on Kempton’s three-mile test, giving punters a clear idea of how key contenders are shaping up.
For fans following horse racing at Bovada and other major betting sites, the entry of such high-calibre performers means markets have already started to shift as Boxing Day approaches.
With the big guns now out, Boxing Day at Kempton sits alongside the Savills Chase and the Welsh Grand National as a central pillar of the festive schedule.
Bookmakers have reacted quickly to the entry news, cutting Gaelic Warrior to clear favouritism after his Punchestown heroics, with Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man prominent in the market following their latest wins.
The King George has long been a key Cheltenham Gold Cup trial, and this year’s field again combines proven Grade 1 performers with more unexposed types looking to graduate into genuine Blue Riband contention.
Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File
Gaelic Warrior heads the betting at around 6/4 after his tenacious John Durkan victory, where he built a big lead, was headed after the last, but rallied to regain the verdict over Fact To File in a race many see as the best of the season so far.
The seven-year-old has already shown his versatility, winning the Oaksey Chase at Sandown in the spring over further before dropping back in trip at Punchestown, suggesting the step up to Kempton’s three miles should be within range.
Fact To File, quoted around 8-1 for the King George, lost little in defeat at Punchestown and brings top-level form over intermediate trips, having previously landed major Grade 1 honours.
Both horses represent Willie Mullins, who has won the race before with Florida Pearl and Tornado Flyer, and their rematch on a sharper, right-handed track promises a fascinating tactical battle.
Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man and British Hopes
Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie is further down the pecking list after an authoritative success in the 1965 Chase at Ascot, where last season’s Arkle winner jumped with fluency and powered right away from a strong field.
That performance confirmed his ability to stretch his speed over intermediate distances, and Kempton’s flat three miles should suit a horse who travels and quickens so well.
The Jukebox Man, a Grade 1 novice chase winner at last year’s King George meeting, further advertised his credentials with a strong seasonal reappearance at Haydock.
Dan Skelton’s Riskintheground, Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse, and Il Est Francais for Tom George add further depth to the British-trained challenge, offering a mix of proven stayers and progressive chasers who handle winter ground.
Irish Strength In Depth
Irish-trained runners make up half of the 20 entries, illustrating the country’s increasingly dominant role in major staying chases.
As well as Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, Willie Mullins has entered Grangeclare West, while Gordon Elliott relies on Croke Park, Firefox, and Found A Fifty, all of whom bring graded form and experience in big-field chases.
Fastorslow, a dual Grade 1 winner and close Cheltenham Gold Cup player from Martin Brassil, adds further class to an already deep Irish squad.
Last year’s winner Banbridge returns for Joseph O’Brien as a double‑figure price, aiming to defend his crown after a smooth success in 2024 that showcased his liking for Kempton’s layout.
With Jordans also representing the yard and Heart Wood among the Henry de Bromhead-trained entries, Irish connections hold a strong hand tactically and numerically going into Boxing Day.
Full List of 20 Entries
The 20 horses engaged in the 2025 King George VI Chase are:
| Horse | Trainer |
|---|---|
| Banbridge | Joseph O’Brien |
| Boombawn | Dan Skelton |
| Croke Park | Gordon Elliott |
| Djelo | Venetia Williams |
| Fact To File | Willie Mullins |
| Fastorslow | Martin Brassil |
| Firefox | Gordon Elliott |
| Found A Fifty | Gordon Elliott |
| Gaelic Warrior | Willie Mullins |
| Grangeclare West | Willie Mullins |
| Heart Wood | Henry de Bromhead |
| Il Est Francais | Tom George |
| Jango Baie | Nicky Henderson |
| Jordans | Joseph O’Brien |
| Kolokico | Emmanuel Clayeux |
| L’Homme Presse | Venetia Williams |
| Master Chewy | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies |
| Panic Attack | Dan Skelton |
| Riskintheground | Dan Skelton |
| The Jukebox Man | Ben Pauling |
These names blend course specialists, Gold Cup aspirants, and festival winners, underlining the race’s status as a mid-season championship rather than simply a traditional holiday feature.
What The Betting Tells Us
Early markets reflect the narrative of a possible rematch, with Gaelic Warrior clear at the head of the betting, Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man forming the main British opposition, and Fact To File heading a deep second wave of Irish challengers.
Odds for Banbridge, Fastorslow, and others in the 12-1 to 20-1 bracket show that bookmakers expect a competitive contest behind the favourite, especially if the ground turns testing or the pace proves overly strong.
With declarations, ground updates, and potential running plans still to come, the picture could shift again before Boxing Day.
For now, though, the announcement of 20 high-quality entries confirms that the 2025 King George VI Chase is on course to deliver exactly what its billing promises: a genuine Grade 1 spectacular at Kempton to crown the festive period.
