"He's extremely versatile" - Gold Cup, Ryanair and Champion Chase being considered for Banbridge
Trainer Joseph O'Brien is considering all three open Grade One chases at the Cheltenham Festival for King George champion Banbridge. After a strategic victory at the Punchestown Festival, Banbridge, under the guidance of O'Brien and owner Ronnie Bartlett, clinched the prestigious King George VI Chase. The versatile star, already a winner over various distances on preferred good ground, stands at 33/1 for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, his Cheltenham target may be influenced by ground conditions, with possibilities including the Ryanair and Champion Chase.
- Banbridge, trained by Joseph O'Brien, is considered for all three Grade One chases at Cheltenham Festival
- Victory at Punchestown set up the King George VI Chase win
- Banbridge has versatile Grade One chase wins; Cheltenham target influenced by ground conditions
All three open Grade One chases at the Cheltenham Festival are being considered for King George hero Banbridge, according to trainer Joseph O'Brien.
O'Brien's and owner, Ronnie Bartlett's plan came to fruition at Kempton on Boxing Day. In the immediate aftermath of Banbridge's victory at the Punchestown Festival in April, connections were keen to target the 2024 King George VI Chase and O'Brien's stable star arrived at Kempton with two runs under his belt.
Il Est Francais looked set for another stunning front-running victory around Kempton and jumped the third-last with a lengthy lead. Paul Townend and Banbridge were the only runners to make any inroads into the leader's advantage and took aim at Il Est Francais on the approach to the final flight. Upon landing, it soon became clear that James Reveley's front-runner had nothing left to give and Townend punched the air as Banbridge claimed King George glory.
"It was a special performance from Banbridge." O'Brien told the press. "The King George is such a big race. To have a runner in it was fantastic so to win it was amazing and it probably hasn't sunk in just yet. Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) was keen to target the King George after Punchestown last season. "
"We thought he was going there in real top shape but could never imagine the race would pan out the way it did."
Banbridge has now won Grade One chases over two, two-and-a-half and three miles, with all three victories coming on his favoured good ground.
Joseph's stable star was cut into 33/1 for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the back of his King George triumph. However, Banbridge is listed at much shorter prices for both the Ryanair and the Champion Chase and ground conditions will likely decide his Cheltenham Festival target.
O'Brien continued, "His next run will probably be Cheltenham if that's where we decide to go."
"He's extremely versatile and it's incredible to think that you could make a strong case for running him in the Champion Chase, the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, or just wait for Aintree. He'll be well entered up and we'll see how he is and how conditions are shaping up before locking in his target."
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
27 May 2026
- Daily Tips on May 27th -
- Horse Racing
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
