'It was a great thrill' - King Turgeon produces spectacular jumping display for resurgent trainer David Pipe

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Even by Vieux Lion Rouge's standards, this was special. King Turgeon announced himself as a serious staying chaser for the David Pipe team with an exemplary round of jumping over the National fences under rising star Jack Tudor.

There were shades of Pipe's two-time Becher Chase winner Vieux Lion Rouge, who retired in 2022 with the record for most National fences jumped, as King Turgeon came alive on his first try on the famous course.

Taken on the inner throughout the 2m5f contest, the six-year-old held the lead before being overtaken by Frero Banbou. However, he got a second wind from the second-last and had enough left in reserve to power away from his rival to give Tudor his first success over the unique fences.

"It was a great thrill. They're always great fun to ride over, especially when you get a good spin," Tudor said. "I've had a couple of them before but nothing like that.

King Turgeon: produced an efficient round of jumping in the Grand SeftonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He travelled round really nicely and jumped really well. I got passed at the Canal Turn, but kept my slot down the inner and managed to save plenty of energy.

"From turning in to the line, he kept galloping. He's always been a good jumper and if he took to these fences early, that was going to be his asset. We knew he'd keep going over this trip."

King Turgeon has been a horse transformed this season, returning after an inconsistent last campaign to win at Chepstow 11 days earlier having had a wind operation.

He carried a penalty for that success but was 2lb ahead of his future mark and the market spoke in his favour as he was backed into 9-2 (from 6).

"He's a French horse and sometimes they take a while to adapt," said Tudor. "He's still only six and is probably starting to grow into himself, and he's come round to the British way of thinking."

King Turgeon pulled three lengths clear in the Grand SeftonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

By his own high standards, Pipe, who won this race ten years ago with Poole Master, had a fairly low-key time of it last season, but he has made a flying start to this campaign with 27 winners.

"This season is going very well and there are some lovely horses to ride. I'm in a lucky place," Tudor added.

The delight felt by connections of runner-up Vintage Fizz almost exceeded those of the winner. Jason Fildes, former general manager at Haydock who assisted his Jockey Club colleagues here during Grand National meetings, beamed with pride after the Jedd O'Keeffe-trained seven-year-old stayed on for second in the colours of his Fine Claret Racing.

"We've never had a runner over these fences and it has always been an ambition of ours," he said. "It's a massive buzz and just the most exciting thing. I was hoping he might be in the first four and then suddenly we were second, which we're very happy about."

Twelve of the 13 runners finished the race, with Harper's Brook pulled up before the last. It was the first time since the 2003 Grand Sefton Chase, 89 races ago, there were no fallers or unseats in a race on the National course.

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