RULE OF LAW
Ga has Power for Snowdon
Ga Law pulled it out of the fire in a dramatic renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Very little went right at first for Jamie Snowden’s well-backed 5-1 shot who lost his place early on as well as being hampered by Coole Cody at the fourth fence.
Jonathan Burke quickly got the six-year-old back on track and he began to move into contention in the back straight.
However, the gelding still had plenty to do as the well-positioned French Dynamite (5/1) forged clear at the second last fence.
Ga Law quickly threw down a determined challenge and seized the lead after outjumping his rival at the last.
French Dynamite would not go away but the winner stayed- on strongly up the hill to land the historic prize by a length.
Midnight River (15/2) took third while 4/1 favourite Stolen Silver was fading when unseating Sam Twiston-Davies three out.
Snowden said: “We all thought the race had got away but this lad stays. They went hard and fast early but he did well to keep hold of them and it was lovely.
“It’s up there with the best days I’ve had. This chap was a Grade 2 winner a couple of years ago and to do it on the biggest stage now is wonderful.
“It’s what we do it for and I have to give credit to the whole team.”
Banbridge (11/8 Fav) oozed class for Joseph O’Brien in the Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase.
The gelding likes this venue and he always jumped and travelled powerfully as he disputed the lead with Sole Pretender (9/1) for most of the two-mile trip.
The race was over once JJ Slevin kicked for home two out and he stormed clear to slam Tommy’s Oscar (5/2) by six lengths with Sole Pretender a game third.
O’Brien said: “You have to be impressed, he jumped well. He was good when he had to go long and good when he got in tight.”
Banbridge is now a general 16/1 shot for the Arkle Trophy itself at the Festival back here in March.