Banbridge triumphed over long-time leader Il Est Francais to clinch victory at the prestigious King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26, 2024. This exhilarating contest showcased Banbridge's grit and determination after overhauling the front-runner at the last fence, establishing his status as one of the leading horses of the season.
The eight-year-old mounted by Paul Townend started the race as a 7-1 chance, and with trainer Joseph O'Brien claiming it as a key target after Banbridge's Champion Chase win at Punchestown, their strategy paid off handsomely. Il Est Francais, driven by James Reveley, had initially held the lead, showing impressive stamina through the first two miles of the racing track. He seemed poised for victory until the dramatic conclusion as Banbridge surged at the last fence, leaving Il Est Francais trailing just 1¾ lengths behind.
“It’s dream stuff to win a King George,” exclaimed O'Brien after the race, emphasizing the significance of the moment for both him and the horse's owner, Ronnie Bartlett. “This is really special, and I grew up watching races like this. Paul gave him a great ride, and speed was necessary on this flat track.”
Banbridge's earlier races included some doubts over stamina, especially since he hadn’t run over such distance since finishing 12th at the Sefton Novices' Hurdle back in April 2022. Townend acknowledged this concern, stating, “Stamina was a question mark going in, so I was conscious to keep hold of him.”
Il Est Francais was the crowd favorite with odds of 9-2; his outstanding performance during the race—a staggering lead—demonstrated his jump prowess. Yet it was the last fence where the tide turned. Reveley, reflecting on the final moments, said, “I felt like I was going really easy. I looked behind me, and I was 20 lengths clear, but I just ran out of petrol coming to two out.” His jumping was otherwise exemplary, yet as he sprinted to the last, the pressure from Banbridge's momentum was palpable.
Completing the podium was L'Homme Presse, finishing 11¾ lengths behind the winner, trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Charlie Deutsch, also displaying tenacity on the track. “He ran really well on his first run back,” Deutsch expressed, indicating the horse's solid performance post-Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Additional entries such as Spillane's Tower, the 11/4 favorite, finished fifth, failing to establish itself as competitive, whereas The Real Whacker, trained by Patrick Neville, performed admirably to take fourth place.
The day's events showcased more than just one horse's triumph. The King George VI Chase has long been considered the championship race of the first half of the season, and the performances seen reiterated its prestigious nature. Each horse showed, through their determination and training, why this event holds such acclaim.
After the race, when asked about future targets, O'Brien mentioned potential plans for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, saying, “I'll discuss plans with the owners going forward, but today is about celebrating this win.”
The 2024 King George VI Chase not only underscored the riders' tactical acumen but also signified the exciting prospect of the racing season still to come.
