Rachael Blackmore has chosen to ride Envoi Allen in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day. This decision means she will forgo a significant number of rides at Leopardstown.

Despite her impressive track record, which includes victories in the Grand National, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase, Blackmore has yet to secure a win in Kempton’s December 26 showpiece. The jockey is hoping for her first victory since September after being sidelined due to injury.

Envoi Allen, who triumphed in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month, faces stiff competition from younger rivals at Kempton. Blackmore previously rode Envoi Allen to victory in the Ryanair Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Currently, Spillane’s Tower and Il Est Francais are favourites, with Banbridge and Grey Dawning also high in the rankings. Only four of the 11 runners are UK-trained.

Dan Skelton, the top trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador, has high hopes for Turners Novices’ Chase victor Grey Dawning in the upcoming three-mile contest.

Skelton expressed his surprise and satisfaction at how well the horse emerged from a challenging race at the Betfair Chase, saying: “Grey Dawning obviously runs in the King George, and I’ve been amazed with how he came out of the Betfair Chase at Haydock; I thought he’d take a while to get over that, but he’s bounced out of it, and he’s been in good form since.”

He added confidence in Grey Dawning’s preparedness for the race: “We’ve schooled him and worked him – Harry [Skelton] is very happy with him jumping, Tom Messenger rides him every day, and is very happy and I think nicer ground here will suit him. He has won at the track before and although this is only his second run outside of novice company he showed an improved performance in the Betfair, even though he got beat.”

“Everything points towards him belonging at this level, but it’s a hard race to win – we’re not going there thinking that we’re just going to win it. We feel we’ve got a great chance, and we’re delighted with the way the horse is.”