In a wide-open edition, the market eventually sided with the James Joseph Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower, who started as the clear favourite at the off. An impressive second in the John Durkan Memorial Chase, the JP McManus-owned runner set out to hand his trainer his biggest success since Montys Pass landed the 2003 Aintree Grand National. The wide-margin National Hunt Chase winner, Corbetts Cross, added a strong second string to the McManus Bow.
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge was well supported in the week leading up to the race; proven in Grade 1 company, the big question was whether he would see out the trip as he stepped up to 3m for the first time. Nine-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen had bounced back to form in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on his seasonal return and completed the Irish challenge.
Il Est Francais represented the French-based duo of Noel Geroge & Amanda Zetterholm. The six-year-old had endured an up-and-down 2024 but was a sensational winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at this meeting and looked likely to make a bold bid from the front. The promising Juntos Ganamos and General En Chef rounded out a three-pronged attack for the French.
Turning to the home team, Bravemansgame ran right away with the 2022 edition of this but hadn’t been in anything like the same form since, whilst L’Homme Presse had looked booked for second before unseating at the last in that 2022 renewal. Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker had emerged from a spell in the doldrums to win the Charlie Hall Chase, but if the Brits were to keep the prize on home soil, the market suggested that Dan Skelton’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner, Grey Dawning, was the most likely to prevail.
Result
- 1st – Banbridge 7/1, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- 2nd – Il Est Francais 9/2, Jockey: James Reveley, Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
- 3rd – L’Homme Presse 14/1, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch, Trainer: Venetia Williams
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £148,098.47
- 2nd – £55,572.68
- 3rd – £27,825.35
- 4th – £13,860.67
- 5th – £9,969.34
- 6th – £3,484.67
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.50, 2nd – £2.20, 3rd – £2.50
- Exacta – £38.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £39.61
- Trifecta – £563.10
- Tricast – £435.20
Recap
As anticipated, Il Est Francais set out to make the running. Having grabbed a nice position against the inside rail, the mount of James Reveley was already over a length to the good over the first fence. 2022 champ Bravemansgame came next, followed by The Real Whacker towards the outside. General En Chef and Corbetts Cross were content to be held up, whilst Grey Dawning effectively ended his chance with a terrible blunder at the first fence.
Il Est Francais wasn’t hanging around in front as he led the field into the back straight; jumping immaculately and seemingly well within his comfort zone, the French raider was soon five lengths clear. The Real Whacker had now taken a clear second with Bravemansgame and Envoi Allen on his heels to the inside. A minor blunder pushed Corbetts Cross to the back of the pack alongside the quietly ridden Banbridge.
Moving into the home straight for the first time, the gap between Il Est Francais and the rest had doubled to around 10l, with those in behind unwilling to make up the distance at this stage. There was little change as the runners moved away from the stands for the final time. The Real Whacker continued to lead the pursuers ahead of Bravemansgame, with Juntos Ganamos, L’Homme Presse, and Spillane’s Tower beginning to make their moves.
Turning home, Il Est Francais still sat six lengths clear. There were no immediate signs of danger coming from behind, whilst Envoi Allen’s challenge ended when he unshipped Rachael Blackmore five from home.
Approaching the third last, it became clear that Bravemansgame, The Real Whacker and L’Homme Presse wouldn’t be bridging the gap. However, Banbridge began to storm home from towards the rear. A 10-length second over the third last, that deficit had diminished to four lengths over the penultimate obstacle. Only two lengths down approaching the final fence, a soaring leap saw Banbridge overhaul the brave but tiring leader and forge 1¾l clear on the run to the line.
A first King George success for trainer Joseph O’Brien, who is emerging as one of Ireland’s finest dual-purpose handlers. Willie Mullins’ number one, Paul Townend, also picked up a first win in the race on only his fourth ride for O’Brien.
Runners
- 1. Banbridge – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 2. Bravemansgame – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 3. Corbetts Cross – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Emmet Mullins, Jockey: Mr Derek O’Connor
- 4. Envoi Allen – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 5. General En Chef – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm, Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay
- 6. Grey Dawning – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 7. Il Est Francais – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm, Jockey: James Reveley
- 8. Juntos Ganamos – SP: 16/1, Trainer: David Cottin, Jockey: Felix De Giles
- 9. L’Homme Presse – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 10. Spillane’s Tower – SP: 11/4F, Trainer: James Joseph Mangan, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 11. The Real Whacker – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Patrick Neville, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Non Runners
All Ran