Who wins the big one? Runner-by-runner guide to the 2019 King George VI Chase

Never mind the quantity, feel the quality. Only six will line-up in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day but the £250,000 showpiece promises to be a belter.

The joint highest-rated chaser in training, Cyrname, will be opposed by another rising star in Betfair Chase winner Lostintranslation. Bookmakers are finding it hard to split the seven-year-olds with the sponsors making them 13-8 joint-favourites.

This is no two-horse race, though, because their respective stablemates - first two home in last year’s renewal, Clan Des Obeaux and Thistlecrack, are back for more.

Then there is Footpad, a six-time Grade One winner, plus Aso, the outsider of the bunch despite his lofty official rating of 166.

Here’s a guide to the super si... err... five, after Thistlecrack was taken out.

Trainer: Venetia Williams. Official Rating: 166. Best odds: 40-1.

Pros: Made Frodon pull out all the stops in the Ryanair Chase last season and shaped well at Wetherby on his return. Type to bounce back quickly from below-par run latest and represents a trainer who has had 15 winners from 38 runners in December, her best monthly tally since November 2014.

Cons: Well below best at Huntingdon last time and yet to win beyond 2m 5f, looking a non-stayer in the Charlie Hall Chase over 3m at Wetherby last month, albeit when the ground was attritional. Finished well adrift of Cyrname when bumping into him at Ascot last February.

Verdict: Stable’s horses firing on all cylinders but others have much stronger credentials.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Official Rating: 169. Odds: 6-1.

Pros: Fluent winner of last year’s renewal and also ran well when subsequently fifth in the Gold Cup, when betrayed by a lack of stamina. Shaped as if all his powers are intact when runner-up at Down Royal on his return and that should have put him spot-on for the defence of his crown. Acts on any ground.

Cons: Has won only one of his six Grade One assignments and last year’s King george fell apart to a degree. This looks a stronger renewal and he will have to repel new opposition to retain his title. Harry Cobden, who has ridden him in his past ten races, has rejected him in favour of Cyrname.

Verdict: Bold defence on cards but will probably require a personal best to become the first back-to-back winner since Silviniaco Conti (2013-14).

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Official Rating: 177. Odds: 11-8.

Pros: Bold-jumping front-runner who arrives at the peak of his powers. He’s officially the joint highest-rated chaser in traing (along with Kemboy) after taking the scalp of Altior, previously unbeaten in 19 races over jumps, on his return at Ascot. Versatile regards the ground, has won on his past two visits to the track and represents a trainer who has won this prize ten times since 1997. Also, Harry Cobden has chosen him over last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux.

Cons: Has to prove he’s equally effective away from Ascot, all his best efforts having come at that track. Unraced beyond 2m5f.

Verdict: Top-class chaser who shapes as if he will stay. Will take some stopping if he does.

Trainer: Willie Mullins. Official Rating: 165. Odds: 8-1.

Pros: Fourth in the 2017 Champion Hurdle and dazzled as a novice chaser the following season when his four successive Grade One wins included the Arkle. Excuses for his three defeats last term and looked in fine fettle on his return at Thurles last month when breezing home over 2m6f. All 11 of his wins under Rules have been achieved in single-figure fields on slow ground.

Cons: Had a disappointing time last season when he suffered over-reaches and also bled when well-held in the Ryanair Chase. This will be a much tougher assignment than when he won on his return and the one time he shaped like a non-stayer the one time he tried three miles over hurdles.

Verdict: Still has a few clouds hanging over him but the market looks to have underestimated the six-time Grade One winner.

Trainer: Colin Tizzard. Official Rating: 173. Odds: 15-8.

Pros: A leading novice last season and has picked up from where he left off, taking his form to another level when beating course specialist Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time. Superb jumper who looks to have the right blend of speed and stamina required, plus he may not have stopped improving. Versatile regards tactics.

Cons: Did not have much to spare last time, when he might have had an edge in fitness. Jumped to his left when beaten at Sandown last term, albeit he had no problem going right-handed on his return at Carlisle.

Verdict: Plenty to like about him and surprise if he is not bang in the picture

Trainer: Colin Tizzard. Official Rating: 162. Odds: --

Is now a non-runner.

VERDICT:

See Andy’s How To Bet £20 on Boxing Day column published on racingtv.com on Christmas Eve!

Have you tried Racing TV Extra yet? It is available via the website, mobile and TV Apps for all members. Click here for more details.