"The King George will suit him" - Banbridge and Spillane's Tower being readied for Kempton

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Thu 12 Dec 2024 15:54

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Jon Vine 12 Dec 2024

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Two Irish horses, Banbridge and Spillane's Tower, prepare for 2024 King George VI Chase
Banbridge requires drier ground after a near-miss in Hilly Way Chase
Spillane's Tower prefers softer ground, having shown strong performance in John Durkan

JJ Slevin riding Banbridge (red cap) clear the last to win The Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree. (Getty)

Two Irish raiders are being readied for the 2024 King George VI Chase, but both seem to want contrasting ground conditions at Kempton.

An impressive winner of the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton earlier this year, Banbridge will return to Kempton on the back of a cracking effort in the Hilly Way Chase.

Joseph O'Brien's stable star went into that contest on the back of a dismal reappearance at Cork last month. Banbridge also had to give the returning Energumene plenty of weight, but still had the favourite in his crosshairs approaching the last, only to make an error at the final flight and fling Richie Deegan to the ground.

"We knew he'd come on from Navan and we've been working from race to race." O'Brien told the press after that final fence mishap. "He's come out of it fine and I was very pleased with him. Giving Energumene 10lb, to give him a little bit of a fright at the last I thought was a great run over that trip."

"Since Punchestown (in the spring), we've been targeting the King George and the plan was that we'd have the two prep runs. We've been happy with how both of those races have gone and now, pending conditions at Kempton, he'll go for the King George. The drier the ground the better for him."

One trainer, it seems, who won't be hoping for good ground is Jimmy Mangan, as he prepares Spillane's Tower for his first trip to Britain.

Mangan's rising star ended last season with a pair of Grade One wins and went close on his first start out of novice company in the John Durkan. Fellow JP McManus flag-bearer, Fact To File claimed victory in that Grade One, but Spillane's Tower was only beaten half-a-length back in second, finishing ahead of dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.

"I would think the King George will suit him and Kempton would suit him as well.” Mangan said to Nick Luck this week. "(But) If I saw the word good (in the going), I would be worried."

"He did get lots of experience last year and it stood to him there in the John Durkan, you could see that he was very professional. It’s just been a troublesome year really as you can’t go on grass."

"He hadn’t been seen on it from April until Punchestown because the ground is so hard. Saying that, he jumped very well in Punchestown and he’s naturally a good jumper, he's usually very good."

“I knew he’d be there (in the Durkan) but he was only about 90 per cent fit because I couldn’t get him away on grass, he was only on the all-weather gallop to get him reasonably fit but he was about 90 per cent.

"So I wasn’t surprised he weakened a bit up the straight. I’ll be in touch with Frank and JP but they are brilliant people and horse comes first. If the ground on either of the two tracks (Kempton and Leopardstown) is on the tight side, he will probably stay in his stable."

You can find the latest betting for the 2024 King George VI Chase here on our website...