Paul Townend timed it to perfection on Banbridge to put on down Il Est Francais and land the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.
The French raider, educated by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, had put in a spectacular show of leaping underneath James Reveley and turning into straight had prolonged his lead again out to round 10 lengths.
Nevertheless, Paul Townend on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge (7-1) was working up an actual head of steam and was making floor hand over fist on the exuberant front-runner, who had been so spectacular on this card 12 months in the past.
Starting to tire, Il Est Francais received in too tight to the final, handing Banbridge an opportunity and when he met it on a protracted stride, he landed with all of the momentum and went on to win by a size and three-quarters.
Given the way in which the race was run with Il Est Francais placing them to the sword from a way out, some excellent horses by no means received concerned.
The likes of Spillane’s Tower, Envoi Allen and Gray Dawning, who made an early blunder, have been by no means on the races.
It was L’Homme Presse, having his first run of the season, who fared better of the remaining in third with The Actual Whacker justifying the choice to complement him by ending fourth for a second successive 12 months.
O’Brien mentioned: “It’s a special win. I’m delighted for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) and the team. He’s been a special horse for us over the last number of years.
“To win a race just like the King George is dream stuff, though I really feel a bit sorry for J J (Slevin, common jockey who was driving in Eire) who has an excellent affiliation with the horse however wasn’t capable of come and trip him at this time. Paul gave him an excellent trip. It is a very big day.
“Kempton is a flat track and over this distance speed is emphasised more than at other places. Paul was happy to find a nice rhythm and the race panned out well for him.
“I truly thought Il Est Francais was gone turning for dwelling however our horse made a sustained run all the way in which to the road. His decision and stamina have been examined, however he had sufficient for at this time.
“It’s really special, I grew up watching it, to have a runner is special but the winner is a dream come true.
“We’ll take pleasure in at this time, see how he pulls up and talk about plans and see what we would all love to do.”
He added: “After Punchestown Ronnie rang me and mentioned he’d prefer to have a go on the King George, we made a plan to have two runs over two miles to sharpen his leaping, we had the headgear again on and we felt he was able to run his legs off.”
