Guide to the King George Chase

Long Run: defending champion

  PICTURE: Getty 

The William Hill Winter Festival is a two-day meeting on December 26 and 27, featuring several Grade 1 events, the highlight of which is the King George VI Chase.

The King George is one of three Grade 1s on December 26, with the Feltham Novices' Chase, run over the same course and distance as the King George, but for novice chasers, and the Christmas Hurdle, a prominent Champion Hurdle trial, whetting the appetite for the main event.

Also on the undercard is a high-class novice hurdle, won last year by Nicky Henderson with Chablais, a contender for this season's RSA Chase.

The King George, run over 3m, is the undoubted showpiece, with Long Run the defending champion after winning the race in January, as bad weather forced the meeting to be moved to a later date.

Desert Orchid: four-time winner

  PICTURE: Racing Post  

The race is steeped in history and is second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cupin terms of significance. Other notable names on the roll of honour include four-time winners Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, while Kicking King, See More Business, One Man, The Fellow and Wayward Lad have all won the race more than once in the past 20 years. 

The second day of the meeting features two Grade 2 chases over 2m, with the Desert Orchid Chase, named after the famous grey and run as a trial for the Champion Chase, the highlight.

The Wayward Lad Novices' Chase, also over 2m, throws up good horses year after year, with those who run well often going on to contest the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

A high-class juvenile hurdle opens the card on day two, while the mares' hurdle usually attracts a competitive field.