Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File battling to be Kempton firsts in heavyweight rematch

It is 10 years since Cue Card narrowly denied Vautour in a pulsating Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and now a decade on the same pink and green silks are back hoping for redemption with Gaelic Warrior.

The ill-fated Vautour looked destined to became a steeplechasing great, with three Cheltenham Festival victories on his CV before he even turned eight.

His narrow defeat in the 2015 King George was his first run over three miles and owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who have have also seen their silks fill the same spot through Royale Pagaille in 2022, now field the favourite in Gaelic Warrior.

Three successive defeats after winning the 2024 Arkle dented his reputation, but those closest to him kept the faith and he has bounced back with wins at Aintree, Sandown and in a thrilling duel against the reopposing Fact To File in the John Durkan. Both are trained by Willie Mullins.

“It should be a cracking race and one we all look forward to in the sport,” said Joe Chambers, racing manager to the Riccis.

“We always hoped Gaelic Warrior would be suited by the King George and JP (McManus, owner of Fact To File) has made it clear it’s a race he wants to win as well and if the John Durkan hasn’t taken too much out of either horse then it could be set up for someone to put up a big number.

“The logic is that Kempton will be tailor-made for Gaelic Warrior and his win at Sandown in the spring gave us some hope in that regard, albeit against probably lesser opposition.”

On the chance to avenge Vautour’s defeat, Chambers added: “Gosh, is it 10 years ago? Vautour for me will always will be the one that got away and not just that King George but in general (died as a seven-year-old).

“The way I see it is the King George is a race every National Hunt fan has a memory of depending on their age, whether that be Dessie (Desert Orchid), Barton Bank tipping up or Kauto Star’s heroics of late.

“Christmas is always a great time for sport, but in racing it is the King George which is compulsive viewing.”

The aforementioned McManus has owned some truly great horses down the years but as yet none have managed to win the King George – but that could all change with Fact To File lining up.

Imperious at Cheltenham in March in the Ryanair, after doing all bar win the Durkan on his seasonal return he is strongly fancied to give his legendary owner a victory he craves.

“Willie is happy with him and we’re looking forward to it,” said Frank Berry, McManus’ long-standing racing manager.

“It’s a race we haven’t won, but I wouldn’t say we’ve had any bad luck in it and he goes there with a live chance. It could be a cracking race with Willie’s other horse.

“I’d rather he (Gaelic Warrior) was going to Leopardstown, but we have to try to take care of whatever lines up and he’s in good form. It was a cracking race at Punchestown and it will be interesting as they both had a hard race in the Durkan.

“Kempton shouldn’t be against him and it might suit some of the others as well. The way he won the Ryanair would say this race should be a good fit for him and Willie feels he’s in good form.”