Tornado Flyer sprang a surprise as he landed the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Danny Mullins, the winner was sent off a 28-1 shot – but made a mockery of that price as he came home clear in the Christmas feature.
He looked to be travelling well turning in and so it proved as he came home clear of Clan Des Obeaux, as his trainer Paul Nicholls swept the place honours with Saint Calvados third and Frodon fourth.
The winner’s stablemate Asterion Forlonge would have made the frame had he not crashed out at the last, while Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo disappointed and 3-1 favourite Chantry House was pulled up.
The winning rider told ITV Racing: “I didn’t think he was totally out of it as he has always had the promise to deliver something like this.
“I knew he had a squeak and going away from the stands the second time he started to come alive. Down the back I was able to keep filling him up.
“When he got to the last he started idling and I wouldn’t have minded Asterion getting to me as I think I had a little left – but I was happy enough to be left along in front.
“When you are riding for Willie you’ve always got a chance whatever their price. I was lucky enough to ride a Grade One winner for him the other week at a big price, you’ve always got a chance.
“This year has been a great year for me, loads of winners at big festivals and to top it off with the King George is great. It’s one of the races of the season.”
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