Kempton Park runs the annual William Hill King George VI Chase

Nov. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- The annual William Hill King George VI Chase will be run at Kempton Park on Boxing Day this year, and tickets are still available for the famous race.

The King George VI Chase has run at Kempton Park for over three quarters of a century, and remains one of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar. Taking place on Boxing Day each year, it is open to horses aged four years or older and is run over a distance of three miles. The race now forms part of the William Hill Winter Festival, a staple part of Kempton’s exciting racing calendar over the Christmas period.

Currently it is Dynaste – winner of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Feltham Novices' Chase – who leads the betting at 5/1 odds. Though it will be the first time Dynaste has run in the £200,000 race, his trainer, David Pipe, remains optimistic – this season he was won four out of five starts so the horse is certainly in prime form. He will be racing either at the Paddy Power Gold Cup in Cheltenham or the Betfair Chase in at Haydock in preparation for the festive race at Kempton.


Long Run, a previous William Hill King George VI Steeple Chase winner, will be entered by Nicky Henderson along with four other horses. The Jimmy Nesbitt-owned Riverside Theatre will take a third start in the race. There are eight Irish entries in the Grade 1 contest, including Willie Mullin's Sir Des Champs which currently sits as third favourite, 7/1. The Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card and Tom George’s Module are currently joint second in betting, and are expected to be worthwhile for a challenge come the 26th.

Tickets for the William Hill Winter Festival are still available and are priced at £12 for the 26th and £8 for the 27th if booked in advance. There are also value-added packages available for those booking in advance, which include access to a specified enclosure, race card, drink, a free £10 online bet and a discount voucher for any of Kempton's January fixtures. Private hospitality has sold out but bookings can still be made for the Panoramic Restaurant – which has magnificent views of the track and the winning post.

Kempton Park is London's closest racecourse and was established in 1878. It is one of the busiest race courses in Europe and hosts Jump Racing from October to May. Afternoon and evening Flat racing takes place on its all-weather track throughout the year. You can find out more about the William Hill Winter Festival and the course’s other prestigious events on the website at http://www.kempton.co.uk.