King George VI Chase 2019: Betting Offers, Tips & More
The highlight of Boxing day (26th Dec) and the festive period for many is the King George VI Chase which takes place during the Winter Festival at Kempton Park. It is now the second most prestigious chase in England, surpassed only by the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The race is currently sponsored by the 32Red bookmaking firm.
The race is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres). There are eighteen fences to be jumped.
The inaugural race took place on the February 1937, and it was named in honour of the new British monarch, King George VI.
Betting
This is a race that attracts many recreational bettors to have a punt on the race. Installing a horse betting app or registering with an online bookmaker are the methods used by many to place a bet on the race.
Free Bets
There are always some superb free bets and other sign up offers available for new customers. Ahead of major meetings the betting sites occasionally release special offers to attract new accounts. We’ll list them below should there be any special offers.
 | Advertisement £20 Risk Free Bet Only available to new customers from UK & Northern Ireland. You must stake £10 or more at single / cumulative odds of Evens (2.0) or greater on your first bet. Free bet balance of £30 credited within 48 hours of your first bet being settled. Free Bets expire after 7 days. E-Wallet restrictions apply. Full terms and conditions apply. - see Betfred for more details 18+ | Claim Now |
Promotions & Offers for Existing Customers
In addition to new customer freebies, the bookies like to look after their existing customers with special promotional deals. These are in addition to the superb horse racing promotions that run all year round. As soon as the specials are released for Kempton we will list them below.
| Money Back as a Free Bet on All Losers in the 15:05 Kempton if Might Bite Wins Applies to the win part of each-way singles only. Max free bet £/€10 per customer. T&Cs apply | Claim Now |
Enhanced Place Terms
It’s not really an offer but a number of bookies pay extra places the big races. Bookies as standard are paying out each way bets at 3 places @ 1/5 odds. As race day draws closer there is a chance that extra places will be available with offers such as enhanced each way odds. Again, we will list if any bookies are paying extra places on the King George VI Chase.
Where can I watch the Race Live?
If you’ve placed your bet on the King George VI Steeplechase and now you want to see how your horse gets on you’re in luck as their are plenty of options for you to choose from.
TV
You can watch the race live on terrestrial TV, with the big-race action covered live on ITV. The dedicated satellite channel Racing UK (Sky 432/Freeview 231) covers races hosted at Kempton Park. The channel can be viewed online and on mobile.
Online
You can also watch the ace live online with bookmakers that offer live streaming of the racing. Most firms give you the option of watching your races live after you’ve placed your bets, providing the stake is more than a given amount. Which is always handy if you are out and about on Boxing Day and want to watch the race live or withdraw any winnings straight away.
Odds
Antepost odds are available for this race now at all of the leading betting sites.
Runners
Last years Nicky Henderson trained horse Might Bite is having a second go at the race. He’s leading the odds, will he win the race like the bookies are expecting or will he be pipped at the post by Waiting Patiently, Presenting Percy or Native River?
Betting Tips
It’s getting quite close to race day with the Christmas season being almost upon us. The bookies and tipsters will be getting ready to write their articles that are full of tips. We especially like 888sport for blog posts with racing tips.
In the run-up to big races, trainers and owners like to get the horse to run in a trial race to test the waters and see how the horse and jockey will perform. The 3m Betfair Chase run at Haydock Park (24th Nov) is often the trial race for Kempton. Take a look at the winner and the horse that contested the race. Previously nine of the last 16 winners took the race before heading to Kempton’s winter festival.
Records
There have been a number of records set in recent years. Nichols could be worth looking out for as well as Nicky Henderson who trained last years winner. Fourteen horses have won it more than once, Desert Orchid won it four times and Kauto Star won it five times.
Most successful horse (5 wins):
- Kauto Star – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Leading jockey (5 wins):
- Ruby Walsh – Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
Leading trainer (9 wins):
- Paul Nicholls – riding More Business (1997, 1999), Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014)
Past Winners
2017 – Might Bite (6/4 fav)
2016 – Thistlecrack (11/10 fav)
2015 – Cue Card (9/2)
2014 – Silviniaco Conti (15/8 fav)
2013 – Silviniaco Conti (7/2)
2012 – Long Run (15/8 fav)
2011 – Kauto Star (3/1)
2010 – Long Run (9/2)
2009 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
2008 – Kauto Star (10/11 fav)
2007 – Kauto Star (4/6 fav)
2006 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
2005 – Kicking King (11/8 fav) (*Run at Sandown Park)
2004 – Kicking King (3/1 fav)
2003 – Edredon Bleu (25/1)
2002 – Best Mate (11/8 fav)