2021 King George VI Chase Tips - Guide to Kempton's Christmas highlight

Today, I've taken a look through the ante-post betting for the King George VI Chase and picked out by best long-term tips.

I wouldn't put anyone off backing CLAN DES OBEAUX. At this stage, he looks the most likely winner.

Paul Nicholls' star won his first King George in 2018, and bolted up by 21 lengths to defend his crown the following year. Sam Twiston-Davies' mount could only finish third last year, but went into Kempton on the back of a slug-fest with Bristol De Mai heavy ground in the Betfair Chase, a fight which clearly left a mark on the defending champion. 

Clan Des Obeaux bounced back from that defeat with a marvellous victory in the Aintree Bowl, before an even bigger performance to defeat Al Boum Photo to win the Punchestown Champion Chase.

Nicholls' has always said that Clan Des Obeaux needs a run to put him cherry-ripe. There has been no prep-run this time around, but I'm confident Nicholls will have his star chaser firing on all cylinders for his return to action at Kempton. He'll take some stopping.

With A Plus Tard set to defend his Savills Chase crown, Minella Indo will be rerouted to Kempton's Christmas Festival. Last year's Gold Cup winner looked like he'd come on plenty for the run when third behind Frodon and Galvin in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase. However, Kempton is often a test of speed, and stamina is certainly Minella Indo's forte. He doesn't strike me as the ideal King George type.

The King George is possible for Allaho, who ground out a hard-fought victory in the John Durkan on his reappearance. Willie Mullins' Ryanair winner has found his feet over the intermediate distance, and hasn't looked anywhere near as effective when tried over two or three miles. If Allaho was going to get the trip anywhere, it would be at Kempton, but I still don't fancy him to turn Clan Des Obeaux over.

Envoi Allen was well beaten in the John Durkan and is yet to prove he's anything special outside of novice company. Fakir D'Oudairies was also disappointing at Punchestown, finishing fourth when Allaho looked there for the taking. I can't see either making the trip to Kempton.

One who certainly could is Asterion Forlonge, who was travelling better than Allaho approaching the second-last in the John Durkan, only to stumble upon landing and throw Bryan Cooper to the floor. Mullins' grey is a mercurial talent and the track at Kempton will definitely suit. He does, however, have plenty to work on in the jumping department, having failed to finish more times over fences than he has recorded wins.  Asterion Forlonge is far from a solid punt.

The King George is a race that has continually alluded JP McManus and I'd be surprised if Chantry House was the horse to finally end his hoodoo. Nicky Henderson's charge is clearly talented, as a pair of Grade One wins in the spring prove. I just don't see him performing to his best around Kempton. I'd rather back Chantry House for the Gold Cup than the King George - not that I will be backing him for either any time soon.

Frodon was allowed to dictate the King George 12 months ago and ran out a ready winner. Bryony Frost's mount had the run of the race at Down Royal too on his reappearance, capturing the third Grade One of his stellar career. With no other obvious pace angles, Bryony will be the one to pass once again, but I doubt whether he will be able to deny a fully fit and fresh Clan Des Obeaux this time, and his price is too short for an each-way bet.

Lostintranslation bounced back to winning ways in the 1965 Chase at Ascot. His two previous tilts at the King George haven't ended well, though, so I'd be surprised if the Tizzard's didn't wait until Cheltenham or Newbury early in the New Year.

Fiddlerontheroof ran a blinder in the Ladbrokes Trophy, but this is a big step up in class and I doubt whether he will make the grade. Imperial Aura holds no appeal after two poor runs this term. Defi Du Seuil and Fusil Raffles are barely worth a mention, while it's highly unlikely that Dashel Drasher will get the heavy ground he so clearly craves.

My original dark horse, Royale Pagaille has been ruled out of the King George this week, having failed to recover from the cut he sustained in the Betfair Chase.

I toyed with the idea of putting Saint Calvados up at an each-way price. Saint Calvados is a horse I love and he ran a screamer in this race first time out last on the run to the line.

The move to Paul Nicholls' yard could bring about further improvement and Nicholls has claimed he's ready to run. However, Cheltenham is Saint Calvados' favourite track, especially when the ground comes up soft. I would be surprised if Nicholls didn't have an eye on either the Gold Cup or the Ryanair come the spring and running on Boxing Day would be a stepping stone towards a big run at the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicholls said after Frodon won at Down Royal that that race was "his Gold Cup" for the season, and I can't see Bryony being allowed to dictate every aspect of the race like she did last year. The defence of his Gold Cup crown is the main objective for Minella Indo. Chantry House just isn't a horse I fancy for this race and Asterion Forlonge cannot be relied upon.

The King George VI Chase is Clan Des Obeaux's main aim for the entire season. He's won the race twice before and good ground won't be a bother to him. He is, undoubtedly, the best bet in this year's King George.