Banbridge produced a stunning late charge to secure victory in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, overtaking Il Est Francais in the final stages of the race at Kempton Park.
Il Est Francais, trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, had been in dominant form throughout the race. Under jockey James Reveley, the French raider produced a brilliant display of jumping and, as they entered the home straight, had extended his lead to around 10 lengths. It appeared as though Il Est Francais was on course for a comfortable win.
However, Paul Townend, riding the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge (7-1), had other ideas. Banbridge, who had been steadily closing the gap, found a surge of speed in the final stretch, eating into the lead with each stride. Il Est Francais, beginning to tire, made a mistake at the last fence, getting in too tight, which handed Banbridge a golden opportunity.
With momentum on his side, Banbridge cleared the last fence with a long stride and powered ahead, ultimately crossing the line a length and three-quarters clear of the fading Il Est Francais. The victory came as a result of Banbridge’s sustained run, which proved to be too much for the front-runner, whose early efforts had left him vulnerable in the closing stages.
The race had been fast-paced, with Il Est Francais putting pressure on the field early on, causing several strong contenders to struggle. Horses like Spillane’s Tower, Envoi Allen, and Grey Dawning, who made an early mistake, were never in contention. L’Homme Presse, making his first start of the season, finished third, while The Real Whacker rounded out the top four for the second year running.
Joseph O’Brien expressed his delight after the race, calling the win “special” and praising jockey Paul Townend for his ride. “To win a race like the King George is dream stuff,” said O’Brien. “I’m delighted for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) and the team. Banbridge has been a special horse for us over the years. It’s a very special day.”
O’Brien also noted the race’s challenging dynamics, highlighting how Kempton’s flat track emphasized speed, which suited Banbridge’s racing style. He acknowledged that Il Est Francais looked set to win turning into the home straight but praised Banbridge’s resolve and stamina as key to the victory.
Looking ahead, O’Brien said the team would assess Banbridge’s recovery before discussing future plans. The trainer also shared how they had carefully prepared for the race, with two runs over shorter distances to sharpen Banbridge’s jumping ahead of the King George.
For O’Brien and his team, it was a dream victory, adding the prestigious King George VI Chase to their list of achievements.