Banbridge goes down fighting in defence of King George crown

Joseph O’Brien understandably had mixed emotions after Banbridge was agonisingly denied in his bid for back-to-back wins in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Despite being the defending champion, the nine-year-old was a 16-1 shot for Kempton’s festive highlight, putting him fifth of eight in the pre-race betting.

But with a visor applied and champion jockey Sean Bowen on his back for the first time, Banbridge put up a staunch defence of his crown, more than playing his part in a pulsating four-way finish before ultimately being beaten a nose into second place by Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man.

“It was a fantastic run and I’m very proud of the horse. It’s obviously frustrating to get nabbed, but he turned up and ran his race,” said O’Brien.

“I’m delighted for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) and his wife Freda and I’m delighted for Ben and Harry (Redknapp) with the winner.

“Everything happened perfect for us, he jumped great and travelled good. He got a great jump at the last and just got beaten in a head bob.

“Today was the day we’ve been building towards, I’m very happy with how he turned up and Sean gave him a great ride.”

Following his victory 12 months ago, Banbridge was saved for a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he finished seventh.

However, when asked whether the Prestbury Park showpiece would be on the agenda again, the trainer added: “I don’t think so, I’ll talk to Ronnie and see.

“We gave that a crack last season and Aintree and Kempton are tracks that he’s been good at in the past, so it might make sense to go back there (Aintree).”

A decade on from seeing Vautour beaten a head by Cue Card, Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci teamed up with 9-4 joint-favourite Gaelic Warrior, who was just another nose behind Banbridge in third.

Mullins was not making any excuses for his charge, saying: “I think he ran his race today. If the winning post was 50 yards down I think he was in front and it was just a bob of heads, so we’re happy and we live to fight another day.

“It’s too early for making plans, today was the plan and it didn’t work out by not that much.

“It was a great race for Kempton and hopefully it won’t be the last King George we see here.”

A close-up fourth was the other 9-4 joint-favourite Jango Baie, whose trainer Nicky Henderson believes his charge is now in need of an even sterner test of stamina, bringing the Gold Cup very much into view.

“It just looked as if it was a tad quick for him even round there, but he’s run a great race,” said the Seven Barrows handler.

“He’ll stay all right, hopefully he will stay further.”

On a Gold Cup tilt, he added: “I would have thought so, why not?

“You would probably think of running him again beforehand, but let’s just see how they come out of it.

“It was a tough old race and it was like they just caught him a bit flat-footed turning out of the back. You will never see a better horse race ever – that’s why we need Kempton!”