2.30 3m. 11 Declared. Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £260,050.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €148,098.00 2nd - €55,573.00 3rd - €27,825.00 4th - €13,861.00 5th - €6,969.00 6th - €3,485.00
Formscan - An intriguing international look to this year's Christmas showpiece, with Irish raider SPILLANE'S TOWER taken to come out on top. A progressive novice last season when landing Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, the six-year-old returned with a career-best display in the John Durkan when splitting two of Willie Mullins' stable stars in second over an extended 2m3f. This will be his first start outside of Ireland, but he has always appealed as a classy sort and he will relish going back up in trip. French hopes lie with the enigmatic but talented Il Est Francais, who has disappointed twice since his exhilarating performance in the Kauto Star on this card last year. Dropping back to 3m on a flat track could suit Grey Dawning ideally, having jumped and travelled well for most of the Betfair Chase before being worn down after the last. A winner here in January, Banbridge looked like he was coming to challenge Energumene at Cork when unseating at the last, and he is well worth another go at 3m. Of the others, 2022 winner Bravemansgame may have each-way claims, while L'Homme Presse remains lightly raced for his age and goes well fresh.