King George VI Chase: Clan and Frodon head Boxing Day cracker at Kempton

Dual winner Clan Des Obeaux and reigning champion Frodon head the ten horses left in Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase after Monday’s confirmation stage.

Clan Des Obeaux, winner of the race in 2018 and 2019, currently shades favouritism with most firms at a best price of 11-4 with bet365. Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old could only manage third in his hat-trick bid last season, but ended the campaign in fine form, adding another two Grade 1s to his tally in the shape of the Betway Bowl and the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Stablemate Frodon caused a 20-1 upset when winning this race last season under a typically inspired ride from Bryony Frost, and returned to action this season with another brave front-running victory at the top level when taking Down Royal’s Champion Chase in October. Frodon is a best price of 9-2 with Betfred to retain his tile – new customers at Betfred can bet £10 and get £50 on sports on £10 on casino. 

And it’s fair to say the popular chaser has consistently been underestimated throughout his career – he has twelve Graded races to his name, but only returned as favourite for two of those.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo (11-4 Betfred) was behind Frodon at Down Royal, but should strip fitter with that run under his belt and is undoubtedly a genuinely top-class steeplechaser. A strong Irish challenge always adds a different dimension to proceedings at Kempton, and he could be joined on the trip over the Irish Sea by Asterion Forlonge (11-2).

Marsh Chase winner Chantry House (11-2) and a possibly resurgent Lostintranslation (11-1) also feature, alongside the bigger priced trio of Saint Calvados, Mister Fisher and Tornado Flyer.