Bridge of highs
O’BRIEN’S STAR IS NOW JUST 5-1 FOR RYANAIR
BANBRIDGE is Ladbrokes’ 5-1 — from 14-1 — second favourite for Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase after thwarting Pic D’orhy’s title defence in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park.
The Joseph O’brien eight-year-old and JJ Slevin collared the reigning champion at the last fence of the Coral-sponsored Grade 2 test before coming away to score by a length and three-quarters.
Banbridge landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2022 National Hunt Festival and was having his first run since lifting the toplevel Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April.
“He was a very good horse last year but we felt he’d just straightened up this year, so we hope he’s better now,” said Slevin.
“He was a little bit rusty on the way round, so he just had to blow away a few cobwebs.
“All four of his competitors had good form and came here with a good chance, so hopefully he’ll have learned a bit and can still progress.”
Laura Morgan’s stable star Notlongtillmay suffered a fatal fall at the final obstacle and the Leicestershire trainer said: “It’s so upsetting – it will leave a massive hole in the yard every day.” Jay Jay O’reilly gave jockey Tristan Durrell the biggest winner of his going-places career when springing a 33-1 shock in Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle – one of a 3,318-1 six-timer for Dan Skelton.
The 3lb claimer, who also rode Flegmatik to lift the New Bet-in-race With Coral Handicap Chase for Skelton smiled: “I’ve never ridden a double before and a double on a big day like this is just unreal.”
The sextet also included Grey Dawning, who earned a 10-1 quote for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham with a widemargin in the Grade 2 Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.
Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux stayed on to finish second to the Emma Lavelle-saddled Silver Lining and James Best in the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase.
Silver Lining carries the silks of Best’s mother-inlaw, Celia Dijivanovic, and the jockey said: “The family connection makes it so special.”
NICO DE BOINVILLE was back in the saddle to ride three lots at boss Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows stable yesterday, 15 days after breaking his collarbone in a fall at Doncaster – and a week before Jonbon’s clash with El Fabiolo in the Grade 1 BETMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
THE CHURCHILL LAD 2.50 Kelso, Today
GUSTAV GRAVES 6.30 Wolverhampton, Tomorrow
SPIRIT OF ASH 3.35 Newcastle, Tuesday
IMMORTAL FAME 4.15 Newbury, Wednesday