A stellar cast assembled for the 2025 edition of the Boxing Day highlight. Willie Mullins was the only trainer with more than one runner, and both of his steeds featured prominently in the market. His 2025 Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File had traded as favourite in the week before the race but slipped behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior on the day.
Going in the pink and green of Mrs Susannah Ricci, Gaelic Warrior showed real guts to master Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. Staring as the 9/4 joint favourite, the market liked his chances of confirming that form.
Joining Gaelic Warrior at the head of the market was the Nicky Henderson-trained Jango Baie. The 2025 Arkle hero had long suggested he may enjoy a step up in trip. He confirmed that impression when winning the 1965 Chase over 2m5f on his seasonal return. While only fourth best in the field on ratings, he was open to improvement on his first outing over 3m.
The only other runner available at a single-figure price was the Ben Pauling-trained The Jukebox Man. Unbeaten in two starts during his novice campaign, he returned to the scene of his Grade 1 success in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. Following an injury-enforced absence, he made an excellent comeback to claim a Graduation Chase at Haydock in November. Sporting the Harry Redknapp silks, he would hand his owner and trainer their best ever result if extending his unbeaten record to four.
2024 champ Banbridge travelled from the County Kilkenny yard of Joseph O’Brien to defend his crown and was joined in the field by the previous year’s runner-up Il Est Francais. Of the others, Djelo had his supporters following wins at Wetherby and Huntingdon, but Master Chewy looked up against it for the Twiston-Davies team.
Result
- 1st – The Jukebox Man 7/1, Jockey: Ben Jones, Trainer: Ben Pauling
- 2nd – Banbridge 16/1, Jockey: Sean Bowen, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- 3rd – Gaelic Warrior 9/4J, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £142,375
- 2nd – £53,425
- 3rd – £26,750
- 4th – £13,325
- 5th – £6,700
- 6th – £3,350
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.60, 2nd – £3.20, 3rd – £1.40
- Exacta – £70.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £99.64
- Trifecta – £325.40
- Tricast – £332.67
Recap
Just as had been the case in 2024, Il Est Francais set out to make the running in trademark style. The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior came next, followed by Banbridge and Jango Baie. Fact To File and Master Chewy settled towards the rear, with Djelo a little tapped for toe in the early stages.
Little change in the order as the field moved into the home straight for the first time, with all eight runners jumping notably well. Il Est Francais continued to lead, with The Jukebox Man travelling well in second, ahead of Jango Baie and Gaelic Warrior in a share of third. Further back, Djelo made a forward move to relegate Master Chewy to last.
Moving into the second half of the race, Il Est Francais and Harry Cobden continued to bowl along in front, sticking to the inside and opening up a two-length lead. Gaelic Warrior, The Jukebox Man, and Jango Baie made up the next wave of three, and all appeared to be travelling nicely. Banbridge and Fact To File were still well in touch, while Djelo and Master Chewy brought up the rear.
Longtime leader Il Est Francais began to tire at the fourth last as the field closed in. The Jukebox Man eased into contention on the outside as Djelo made a big move from the rear. Jango Baie sat on the heels of the leaders and a length ahead of Gaelic Warrior. Banbridge came next and was responding to Sean Bowen’s urgings, but Fact To File looked in trouble.
Into the straight, The Jukebox Man led narrowly from Jango Baie. Having been caught flat-footed, Gaelic Warrior was beginning to charge down the inside with Banbridge launching his challenge up the centre of the track. Il Est Francais was pulled up as Master Chewy and Fact To File found little, and Djelo’s challenge floundered.
A titanic tussle ensued on the run to the line. Banbridge, The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, and Jango Baie were all in the air together over the final fence, with the defending champion just ahead. Inside the final 100 yards, Banbridge led narrowly from Gaelic Warrior, as the Irish runners briefly looked to have it between them. However, The Jukebox Man wasn’t done with yet. Seemingly booked for the placed positions, the mount of Ben Jones found one last determined effort to surge between the Irish duo and force a three-way photo.
Following an anxious wait, the result was confirmed as 8-1-4. The Jukebox Man had got back up to score by a nose from Banbridge, with Gaelic Warrior a nose further back in third, and Jango Baie only a ½l away in fourth. A first King George for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones, and a strong contender for race of the season honours.
Runners
- 1. Banbridge – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 2. Djelo – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 3. Fact To File – SP: 3/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 4. Gaelic Warrior – SP: 9/4J, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 5. Il Est Francais – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Tom George, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 6. Jango Baie – SP: 9/4J, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 7. Master Chewy – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 8. The Jukebox Man – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Ben Jones
Non-Runners
All ran.