Celebration time for the Banbridge team
Celebration time for the Banbridge team

Aidan O’Brien plotting King George route for Banbridge


Banbridge is being readied for a return to action at either Navan or Cork ahead of a planned tilt at the King George VI Chase.

The eight-year-old has won five times over fences for Joseph O’Brien, rounding off his novice campaign with a Grade One victory at Aintree before last season landing the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton and the Champion Chase at Punchestown.

Having proven himself a top-class performer over two and two and a half miles, Banbridge is set to test his powers over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day, but will make his comeback over a shorter trip.

“He’s coming along well and will probably start off in something like a Fortria or the Hilly Way, with the King George as a medium-term target,” said O’Brien.

If Banbridge does line up in the Fortria Chase at Navan on Saturday week, he is likely to meet the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Riviere D’Etel and Found A Fifty.

The latter was a ready winner at Down Royal last weekend and Elliott is confident further big-race victories await.

“We’ll probably have Riviere D’Etel in the Fortria again along with Found A Fifty,” he said.

“There’s not a lot of options for him, he either runs in the Fortria or the John Durkan and this could be an easier stepping stone to Christmas. He’s a top-class horse, he was good at Down Royal."

Both Banbridge and Found A Fifty are entered for the King George, with sponsors Ladbrokes pricing them up at 12/1 and 25/1 respectively.


More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING