Gerri Colombe The New 2023 King George VI Chase Betting Favourite

Gerri Colombe Horse
Gerri Colombe Horse

The 2023 King George VI Chase betting market has been shaken up with the Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe the subject of plenty of support and is now the new Kempton Boxing Day favourite.

Money Comes For Gerri Colombe In 2023 King George Betting Market

Last year’s King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame fluffing his lines again – this time in the Betfair Chase.

And, as a result, this is tempting some of the top Irish trainers to send over their star names for the Kempton Boxing Day feature.

The latest of these top Irish staying chasers to throw his hat into the 2023 King George VI Chase ring is the Gordon Elliott-trained GERRI COLOMBE. Who has been the subject of plenty of support and is now the new Kempton favourite.

Having been as big as 10/1, this season’s Down Royal Champion Chase winner, Gerri Colombe is now as short as 5/2 with the best UK horse racing betting sites. Now shorter than last year’s winner Bravemansgame.

This flood of money in the King George VI Chase ante-post market is a clear sign that Elliott and owners Robcour are seriously thinking about a Kempton trip on Boxing Day.

Despite also having an option to run in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on the 28th December.

Gerri Colombe is no stranger to running in the UK either. He’s travelled to England three times before – winning at Sandown and Aintree, plus only just failed (2nd) in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

He was last seen coming with his normal late rattle to win the 3m Down Royal Champion Chase on November 11th. This successes took his chasing tally to five wins from six.

Elliott Taking The Same Route As Don Cossack

Trainer Gordon Elliott has never won the King George VI Chase – it’s been dominated by Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson since 2006. With the pair winning a staggering 14 renewals between them.

Elliott came close though in 2015 with Don Cossack. The horse was sent off the 15/8 favourite and also won that same Down Royal contest, was in with a big chance until falling two fence out. He did, however, bounce back on go onto win the Cheltenham Gold Cup later that season.

Gerri Colombe is also as short as 4/1 for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup with the best online gambling sites.

Will Kempton Suit Gerri Colombe?

Some horse racing fans are questioning if the Kempton track will suit Gerri Colombe as he can often hit a bit of a flat spot in his races, but then finish strongly.

However, despite being a flat track, the Kempton King George VI is often run at a fair pace with little time for horses to get a breather in. Therefore, having plenty of stamina is always a huge plus in this Boxing Day feature. Something Gerri Colombe has in abundance.

Gerri Colombe Career In Numbers

  • Total Runs (Rules): 10
  • Total Wins (Rules): 9
  • Chase Runs: 6
  • Chase Wins: 5
  • Career Earnings: £310,583
  • Last Run: 1st Champion Chase (Down Royal, 11th Nov 23)

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 , 14:30 BST • Kempton • Jumps

Gerri Colombe

King George VI Chase (Kempton, 26th Dec 2023): Gerri Colombe

WATCH: Gerri Colombe Winning The Ladbrokes Champion Chase 

When Is The 2023 King George VI Chase?

📅Date: Tuesday 26th December 2023
🕙Time: 2:30pm
🏇Racecourse: Kempton (3m, Grade 1)
💰 Winner: £142,375
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV

Bravemansgame Bidding To Defend His King George Crown

No trainer in the history of the King George VI Chase has won the Kempton race more times that Paul Nicholls. The Ditcheat handler has won the race an incredible thirteen times, including with the likes of Kauto Star (5 wins), Silviniaco Conti (twice) and Clan Des Obeaux (twice).

He also took the prize 12 months ago with Bravemansgame and this horse will be back for more as Nicholls eyes win number fourteen.

Bravemansgame will be looking to add to the repeat winners in the race since 2004 – Kicking King, Long Run, Kauto Star, Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux.

But, since winning the King George last season, Bravemansgame hasn’t won another race.

He was beaten in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April. And his season has returned with seconds in the Charlie Hall Chase and the Betfair Chase.

On a plus, he’s back at Kempton on Boxing Day and many feel this is his track. The 8 year-old is 2-from-2 over fences at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue, having also won the 2021 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Bravemansgame Career In Numbers

  • Total Runs (Rules): 19
  • Total Wins (Rules): 9
  • Chase Runs: 11
  • Chase Wins: 6
  • Career Earnings: £597,976
  • Last Run: 2nd Betfair Chase (Haydock, 25th Nov 23)

WATCH: Bravemansgame Winning The 2022 King George VI Chase

Other King George VI Chase Contenders

Away from the top two in the 2023 King George Chase betting there are many others with chances too.

The Willie Mullins-trained Allaho could be sent over as the County Carlow trainer looks for his third win in the race having won it with Florida Pearl (2001) and Tornado Flyer (2021). After being sidelined for 561-days, Allaho returned on 9th November to win the Clonmel Oil Chase by an easy 9-lengths.

Shishkin could also run for trainer Nicky Henderson, who has three King George VI Chase wins to his name (Long Run 2010 & 2012) and Might Bite (2017). While this season’s Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille was runner-up in the race 12 months ago and this Venetia Williams/Rich Ricci horse is expected to go again.

We should also see another Venetia Williams runner in L’Homme Presse. The horse was in the process of running a big race last year until unseating jockey Charlie Deutsch at the last.

King George VI Betting 2023

See below the latest King George Chase betting from Paddy Power

  • Gerri Colombe 5/2
  • Bravemansgame 11/4
  • Allaho 9/2
  • Shishkin 5/1
  • L’Homme Presse 8/1
  • Royale Pagaille 12/1
  • Pic D’Orhy 12/1
  • The Real Whacker 12/1
  • 33/1 Bar

Note: Odds are subject to change

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