Recent King George VI Chases have arguably lacked a little of the class of some earlier ones, not least the vintage era of Kauto Star and Long Run (who between them won every edition from 2006 to 2012 inclusive), but this was a step back in the right direction as the two form horses and favourites came to the forefront, the race seemingly settled in the favour of Bravemansgame when L’Homme Presse parted company with his jockey after the last. The pace was sound throughout, resulting in an apparently high-class overall time, and the form – achieved on ground nearer “good to soft” than the official “soft” – can be trusted.
BRAVEMANSGAME (c172 here, 162+ previously) produced a performance of real substance to back up the unquestionable style that he had been delivering previously, the winner on merit in a truly run race that exposed the weaknesses in others. He raced wide tracking the pace, having to contend with L’Homme Presse jumping across him at some of the obstacles, was rousted before 3 out and responded well, leading between the last 2 and on top, if not by a great deal when left clear at the last. His stamina for the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip can be questioned, especially if that race turns into a slog, but the signs were more encouraging here in that respect: only Galopin des Champs (c175) and the best version of A Plus Tard (c179) are rated ahead of him among staying chasers at present.
ROYALE PAGAILLE (c157 here, 164 previously) could ideally have done with more testing conditions to slow the others down, but he ran pretty well on what was his first outing since April, held up and making a couple of mistakes but not all that far back early in the straight before the principals got away. He should be back to his best next time.
FRODON (c153+ here, 162 previously) ran better than the result for a long way, jumping well and setting the pace until approaching 3 out (a stronger one than when he won this race in 2020) but finding no extra from approaching the next, outrunning his odds without quite matching his best recent form.
ELDORADO ALLEN (c149 here, 160 previously) was up against it in this grade but did not really do himself justice, making a few mistakes and in trouble some way out. He runs his race more often than not but is likely to continue to come up short at the highest level.
AHOY SENOR (c137 here, 161 previously) was below form, with less obvious excuses this time, and may be hit and miss in terms of form and not just in terms of jumping. He was adequate in the latter department but got left behind when the pressure was really on and failed to rally.
MILLERS BANK (c129 here, 156 previously) was in trouble too far out to blame the longer trip alone, making a mistake at the first.
ENVOI ALLEN (c119 here, 164 previously) had more on his plate than implied by the betting but should have done much better even so, always behind (couple of mistakes) and out of it before they made the turn for home.
HITMAN (c0 here, 160 previously) was reported to have bled from the nose, blundering at the 11th and never a factor (pulled up before 2 out).
L’HOMME PRESSE (c170 here and previously) confirmed he is a high-class chaser, doing remarkably well given the ground he forfeited by jumping to his left, up with the pace and travelling well all the same, briefly looking like taking some catching as he moved on going to 3 out, but headed between the last 2 and a length or 2 down when unseating after the last. He may do better back to going left-handed, and he can be expected to stay the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip, at least if it is not a slog.
