BANBRIDGE runs down IL EST FRANCAIS to land King George VI Chase

[@cjdale9149]

Fantastic performance by the horse, won at 2 mile now at 3 mile, this is a proper class 1 horse.. 🏇

[@Brandon-rs3yr]

U mean grade 1 and he’s very dependent on the good ground , any sort of cut he’d have been way down the field

[@JordanSM1997]

Great training performance from Joseph and ride from Paul Townend. What a great horse

[@Jaam0119]

Il est francais back to his best. His jumping at times is breathtaking. Great race and banbridge is some horse when he gets his conditions.

[@radleysmith621]

..and a costly MF when he doesn't try an inch, J O'B worked an oracle here today, The form has a solid look

[@Folk_var]

I backed him, great ride and great horse. Can't believe he was 7/1. Nuts!

[@ahelm3008]

what time is the race?

[@jacquelinepaul9731]

Where did u get sevens,i thought my 6/1 on betfair was top price

[@ahelm3008]

@@jacquelinepaul9731 where and when is the race lads? i wanna back it because of your confidence!!

[@FinbarrSheehan]

well done Joseph O Brien delighted for him great trainer

[@cookslooking10]

Hey Cooks! It's you from the past. Remember when you had a Yankee on Leader In The Park, The Jukebox Man, Constitution Hill and Il Est Francais and they all won other than the latter that caught close home as per the content of the above video? What a kick in the balls that was.

[@yoiink]

you should off laid it at 1.01 inrunning innit.

[@cookslooking10]

@yoiink I can't believe it got that short.

[@bernieshaw3720]

Hats off to Ill et francais...I was willing him on ...but perhaps the last fence done him in...in any case a great performance.

[@AlisonGoodair-og4fn]

I applaud Joseph for an incredible training performance 🎭 I salute him!!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@BrianSimpson-i6o]

Excellent performance you don't come all that way for nothing great ride by Paul

[@robertdavies4258]

No where to hide can’t believe Banbridge chased him down pure class from PT

[@pablojablo6371]

What a race and a horse . I've always backed it because of the song and my Liverpudlinan County Down roots ... near Banbridge town in the County Down one morn in late July 😊. I took the 9/2 price though but Iam not really arsed .

[@patrickfarrell5092]

Anyone see similarities between Il est Francais and the late Special Tiara? Great race, great ride by Paul, Joseph is the coolest by his simple politeness. Overall a wonderful experience.

[@jacquelinepaul9731]

What a fabulous race...breathtaking,the second jumped superbly but stll got beat.

[@Constitutionalist52]

The Irish dominate again, well done Joseph O’Brien and everyone associated with Banbridge winning such an illustrious race as the King George on Boxing Day, the stuff of dreams for every trainer and let’s not forget Paul Townend who gave the horse an impeccable ride , Ill Est Francais almost took it but met one better on the day , the rest were all far behind .

[@Morro19922]

Shut your lossiemouth

[@mrcool1706]

What a rode from PT.

[@brucesekulic5443]

Paul Townend is a special rider and makes a big difference

[@rodneymckee8431]

Backed Spillane's Tower slightly disappointed with his run but could be a blessing in disguise having already backed him for the Ryanair. Great ride and Training performance with Banbridge

[@JackBurton-w7x]

Outstanding training performance by the young master Joseph O’Brien. Appeared to get the 3 miles pretty well better than the runner up who it is rumored suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage when pulling up 7 weeks ago. Disappointing from Corbetts Cross and Spillane Tower whilst once again BMG demonstrated he is definitely not graded class unless the opposition is exceptionally weak. Congratulations to a real genius of a trainer Joseph and his excellent team

[@frizzyred1292]

Skelton running Grey Dawning after being out on his feet at Haydock, in a King George with this kind of pace...makes you wonder. Winner was brilliant but feel sorry for the runner up. Backed the Real Whacker E/W, finished 4th, typical lol.

[@fjackson707]

The way Banbridge pushes off after landing each jump, gains half a length each time

[@jamesogorman2980]

Sweet 7/1 👍

[@TimComley]

Bore off

[@RichardBates-wd3if]

​@@TimComleyloser?

[@harryfarley98]

Banbridge bringing home that money for xmas 💸💸💸

[@kieranbehan9395]

It was a fantastic performance from ch I doubted ch and he proved me wrong so fair play and I has 2nd in the king george a great run but just got done by the better horse on the day

[@stevens9996]

Some people talking up Il Est Francais for the Champion Chase. I would say there are far more solid bets at similar prices, if not bigger. Just because a horse looks fast against three milers doesn't mean they will automatically look the same against two milers. The biggest problem for him is the course itself. Cheltenham and Kempton are chalk and cheese. He could easily bomb out completely, as he already has done on several occasions. Is his low, flat style of jumping going to suit Cheltenham? Personally, I can see him going head over heels.

[@mikehopkins1201]

James. Great ride.

[@liamcarroll5441]

Anyone else like to see Il Est Francois in the Champion Two Mile Chase?

[@AndrewJohnston-t3m]

Unreal

[@youknownada2326]

Tipped this up yesterday on my tipping page

[@paulbowles7426]

Sorry didn't see your tipping page but backed it anyway

[@simonchapman5560]

Surely Francais goes for the Ryanair now ? Still think we may have to bear the brunt of clown Lewis as El Fabiolo will turn up as well and beat it. ? Any constructive thoughts ? Looking forward to seeing Montys Star at weekend. Love that horse.

[@paulhodgkin6753]

Like to know where il est francais will go now, ran a great race and what a different horse from auteill. Hoped it would hold on to win. Runs and wins at cheltenham

[@radleysmith621]

Still holding my 25/1 NR Izal Geri Colombe & 2023 cheltenham participation award this article to call that a bet

[@fromtheterraces4747]

The only place we will see Il Est Francais run in the UK is Kempton. Wouldn’t suit Cheltenham, needs a tight track like Kempton and also seems to love going right handed.

[@jacquelinepaul9731]

Wheres Banbridge going next..anyine know ?

[@lockoshocko]

Remind s me of kicking king a very good 2m chaser stepped up in trip king George the perfect fit. Not so sure about the Gold Cup .But has a good career ahead regardless.

[@mikehopkins1201]

Wonderful to have Rici and not the embarrassment Yee Ha Chapman to racing doing the interview on way in.

[@rodneymckee8431]

I would have Chapman all day cause at least he asks the hard question. Rici is useless

[@mrcool1706]

I was on 💪

[@Kevjohno]

i was on the french horse ,i was half counting it out

[@RichardBates-wd3if]

Fatal

[@JonathanHewitt-t2y]

I'll est francaie has run a blinder in second with his zest he showed previous so glad connections persisted with him but Banbridge so unlucky previous run has had compensation but even more exciting for me is the well being of Energumene this race suggests

[@Darylmerry]

I took 9/2 does anyone know if its best odds gurenteed ay ladbrokes

[@JamesHodgson-s1h]

Sp was great🎉

[@mrdangiles90]

What will they do with Bravemansgame now? seems the 2023 gold cup has left it's mark

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

Blame the trainer , ran the horse on heavy ground last season and destroyed him. He should also have not gone to Punchestown after his second in the Gold Cup in 2023.

[@billyburnham5315]

​@@Kevin-lf4xx I think that was the owner wanting both the betfair chase runs not the trainer

[@Hugh-nr5sx]

Very reminiscent of Crisp all those years ago and then being mugged closed home. Banbridge emulates Frodon four years ago in landing the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti over 2m 4f 110yds and then taking the Grade 1 King George VI 11 months later.

[@leighmerlin]

Yes! That's exactly what I thought watching him jumping round in that long lead . Loved watching him.

[@RichardBates-wd3if]

That was the Grand National totally different race, different place, different conditions...

[@Hugh-nr5sx]

@@leighmerlin I think it was the fourth last jump that took the breath away.?

[@martyndavid2094]

Damn thought I had won that on el fran , just run out of steam

[@edmondscott7444]

Anybody who believes J. J. Slevin had choice should have their heads examined.

[@JohnWindows-n8d]

Can you explain ?

[@eamonnoneill1340]

Any other jockey but Townsend on banbridge and the French horse wins easy so disappointing for my point of view

[@johnedwards2117]

The last was costly

[@billynomate3699]

Not riding the second into the last cost him the race imho

[@gerardlacey5428]

ii est Francaise did all the donkey work,only to be denied.

[@bobhadland2554]

Il est francais for the Gold Cup 😅😅😅

[@ciananmchugh410]

on it

[@slaneysider106]

I backed Ill Est Francais Each Way. I wouldn back it till it went to 5/1. The Bookmakers are Devious at 9/2 they are still making money off the Punter.

[@nigelcodrington2534]

Alot of Foolishness with this horse cant get the trip..Look at the finish..the field did not get the trip..Joseph Could train staying horses look at the big races he has won..Tell me Did the field get the trip tell me tell me..

[@richardbogulak9814]

First 2 looked decent the rest rubbish not a vintage renewal in ny opinion plenty of donkeys on show at that level😅

[@johnmurphy1199]

What can you say about Joseph O'brien. Silver spoon and all that but could you do better.

[@PhilipParker-c8x]

Painful race to watch. Most of the field might as well have stayed at home. None of them, Banbridge apart, looked capable of landing a blow.

[@Andy_ATB]

Horse with the bigger engine beats the better jumper........happens too often in NH racing for my liking.

[@Lisanisky]

Did Banbridge do anything wrong in his jumping. He does enough. The 2nd was over extravagant at times and it can take more out of the horses.

[@carolins294]

uhh james, he could have won😢

[@UNOwen-r6s]

a very poor renewal

[@Bernard-p5o]

French horse well put back in his box 📦

[@Monty-xs7hp]

He ran a great race

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

I was on Banbridge but Il est Francais ran an absolute blinder from the front and considering he had a pulmonary haemorrhage last time out he's definitely a winner in waiting.

[@paulmichaelrichardson6582]

jockey on the 2nd was pathetic at the last he should have asked instead of sitting.cost the horse the race

[@Doghouse_Riley26]

Can't believe Il Est Francais didn't win. He must have been 1/20, in-running. The favourite was a MASSIVE lay. He had absolutely no chance, with Walsh on his back 👎 👎 👎 👎 👎

[@johndonnelly3135]

Yeah I was shocked when JP picked Walsh again in front of you.

[@theLowestPointInMyLife]

Il Est Francais will be my last ever bet on jump racing, theres no way the winner wasnt juiced today, dont be surprised if it breaks down in the near future

[@John-ed2wj]

Don't be so ridiculous

[@UNOwen-r6s]

Reverley has made an utter fool of himself in that race.

[@00490700]

Turning around looking back all the time and opening up a huge silly lead. Looked like an amateur jockey to me. Not Townsend style.

[@chrisruff2043]

That’s the difference between a top rider! And a retained rider! Disgusting ride on Spillanes Tower’ the French horse is always gonna pop and go’ MW sat 20+ lengths off the leader and then gets mugged for 4th after connections supplemented him! Worse rider in G1s ever ‘ soooo overrated MW 😢

[@johndonnelly3135]

Do you think Paul Townsend gave Banbridge a terrible ride given he was further back.

[@chrisruff2043]

@ it’s all about judgement pal’ PT alive to the French horse bombing off in front’ made his move swiftly on a horse with experience, MW is on a ‘novice’ poorly positioned on an inexperienced chaser’ few errors’ game over’ I’m not saying Spillanes Tower should have won’ but it should’ve been given more of a chance 👍