KEMPTON PARK 14:30 3z665

All 11 ran. Fences: 18.

Time: 5m 54.4s Closing Sectional: (2.5f): 37.3s (99%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 106.5%

This looked a rather atypical King George, with a double-figure field for the first time since 2018 - thanks to strong challenges from Ireland and - and the race lacking an obvious standout performer beforehand, though the best of the field had shown form up to the standard required for most recent runnings of the race; it proved a thriller as well, with a strong-travelling pair full of speed ridden in contrasting fashion coming clear of their rivals, both producing personal bests in a renewal as good as any in this race since Cue Card edged out Vautour in another memorable edition in 2015; the pair were clearly very well served by the demands of the track in their different ways, the trailblazing runner-up finding the flaws in all but one of his opponents, whose wealth of experience in strongly-run races at shorter trips stood him in fine stead.

BANBRIDGE (IRE) had failed to run a race in the 2022 Sefton on his only previous try at 3m, but he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and showed enough on ground that suits him well to peg back the free-going leader, having had the big advantage of being able to hold his place like none of the others thanks to a career spent mostly at shorter trips, picking off that rival under a very well-judged ride; held up, jumped soundly, travelled strongly, headway 4 out, went second next, shaken up after, led soon after last, kept on well; he'll be a major contender on form for whichever race he goes for in the spring, assuming the ground is in his favour that is, though whether he has the different qualities required for a Cheltenham Gold Cup remains open to question.

IL EST FRANCAIS (FR) a sparkling winner of the Kauto Star last season, bounced back from his Auteuil flop, showing much improved form under less testing conditions that really played to his strengths, looking the most likely winner for much of the way and denied by the only other to travel so well as he did, the finish likely to have been tighter even if the outcome would have been the same had he not got the last wrong; raced clear, jumped superbly, travelled strongly, pressed on after 4 out, shaken up 2 out, reduced advantage soon after, lost momentum last, headed soon after, understandably no extra late; he would be much more likely to contest the Ryanair than the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, with no reason why his style of racing and jumping shouldn't be effective there, though Aintree would clearly suit him down to the ground_in short, he's sure to be of serious interest wherever he goes next granted similar conditions.

L'HOMME PRESSE (FR) who was running his best race when departing at the last in the 2022 King George, had overcome a long absence after that and was returning from nearly another 10 months off, but he shaped as if retaining all his ability, even if he couldn't land a blow this time; in touch, pushed along approaching thirteenth, went third 4 out, one paced straight; his tendency to jump left makes the Cotswold Chase a likely suitable option for him next as he builds towards another attempt in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he ran very creditably last spring.

THE REAL WHACKER (IRE) supplemented for this after his win in the Charlie Hall, ran about as well as could have been expected, sticking on again after looking well held turning for home; raced second until thirteenth, pushed along after eleventh, labouring end of back straight, rallied gradually; he isn't quite up to this level and may be worth aiming at the Grand National instead of the Gold Cup.

SPILLANE'S TOWER (IRE) had made a good start out of novice company in the John Durkan and looked to hold leading form claims, but he found this competitive field and well-run race a bit too much, in trouble after a couple of errors in the back straight; hampered first, soon steadied, mistakes thirteenth and fourteenth and pushed along, plugged on straight, little impression.

CORBETTS CROSS (IRE) was faced with a sharper test than usual away from testing ground but also wasn't up to the task for ability; held up, not fluent fourth, eighth, labouring before 4 out.

JUNTOS GANAMOS (FR) competitive at a high level in , wasn't disgraced on his first start away from Auteuil, though he wasn't a threat in the last mile; in touch, not fluent fifth, lost place back straight, labouring after 4 out.

BRAVEMANSGAME (FR) was very much on his toes beforehand and ran below even his more recent form, failing to see his race out; handy, went second thirteenth, already weakening when mistake next.

GENERAL EN CHEF (FR) in first-time cheekpieces, was flying too high in this grade and never got out of the rear division; in rear, left behind 4 out.

ENVOI ALLEN (FR) was already on the retreat when departing in the back straight; mid-division, lost place thirteenth, blundered and unseated rider next.

GREY DAWNING (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, never getting into much of a rhythm after a mistake at the first, the s the mud at Haydock having perhaps taken the edge off of him; patiently ridden, hit first, not fluent early, some headway back straight, weakened 4 out, pulled up soon after next; he remains one to view very positively.