2022 King George VI Chase Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

The feature race during Kempton's Christmas Festival is the King George VI Chase. The King George is the second leg of chasing's Triple Crown, which also features the Betfair Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Many of the sports greatest names have won this historic Grade One at Kempton Park, and the 2022 renewal of the King George is sure to be as thrilling as ever.

The first King George VI Chase was first run at Kempton Park in February 1937. Only two runnings of this Grade One chase came before the end of the second World War, as Kempton Park racecourse was used as a prisoner of war camp during that time.

When the King George returned in 1947, the race was moved to Boxing Day, in order to attract a larger crowd. Reigning Gold Cup winner, Cottage Rake won the King George in 1948, and went on to claim a hat-trick of wins in the main event at the Cheltenham Festival.

Bill Wightman's Halloween and Mandarin, trained by Fulke Walwyn, both won the King George VI Chase twice during the 1950s. In 1965, the red carpet was rolled out for Arkle, and Pat Taaffe's superstar secured a superb 30-length victory, after going off as the 1/7 favourite.

Pendil, Captain Christy and Silver Buck claimed back-to-back King George wins in the 1970s. Wayward Lad won his first King George in 1982, and went on to become the first three-time winner of Kempton's main event.

Wayward Lad's record didn't stand for long, as fan's favourite Desert Orchid won the King George four times between 1986 and 1990. 

One Man won the King George VI Chase twice, and would later drop back to two miles and win the Champion Chase in 1998. See More Business won the King George in 1997 and '99, while also winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup inbetween.

Three-time Gold Cup winner, Best Mate won his only King George in 2002. Kicking King came over from Ireland to win the King George VI Chase in 2004 and '05.

Kauto Star dominated the late noughties, winning the King George on five occasions. Long Run defeated an underpar Kauto Star in 2011, and went on to beat both Kauto and Denman in the Gold Cup that season. Kauto Star would gain his revenge at Kempton the following season, becoming just the fourth horse older than ten to win the King George.

Kauto Star's trainer, Paul Nicholls is the most successful trainer in King George history. Nicholls also won back-to-back King George's with Silviniaco Conti in 2013 and '14.

Cue Card, Thistlecrack and Might Bite briefly interrupted Nicholls' success. Harry Cobden then rode Nicholls' Clan Des Obeaux to victory in the 2018 King George, before successfully defending their crown in 2019, handing Nicholls' his 11th win in this famous Grade One.

Clan Des Obeaux was then upstaged by stablemate Frodon in 2020, as Bryony Frost's mount made all to seal a 12th King George win for Paul Nicholls. Again in 2021, Clan Des Obeaux bid for a third King George failed, as he was beaten into second by the outsider of the field, Tornado Flyer.