Banbridge won a thrilling King George for Joseph O'Brien and Paul Townend at Kempton today.

Racing over three miles for the first time, Townend bided his time on the eight-year-old son of Doyen as French raider Il Est Francais made the running, jumping boldly and many lengths clear. He seemed to have the race sewn up with precise jumps over the fourth and third last, still six lengths clear two out with Banbridge the only one to close the gap.