Cheltenham 2025: King George winner Banbridge set for crack at Gold Cup
Cheltenham 2025: King George winner Banbridge set for crack at Gold Cup
Share:
King George VI Chase winner Banbridge’s Cheltenham Festival target appears to have been decided. The nine-year-old captured the biggest win of his career when he beat Il Est Francais at Kempton on Boxing Day. It was his first attempt at three miles having registered his other ten victories at around two and two and a half miles. Due to his versatility trainer Joseph O’Brien made entries in the Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup, which is over three miles, two and a half furlongs. He is a 7-1 chance with William Hill for all three races.
Paul Townend rode Banbridge at Kempton as regular rider J J Slevin had commitments in Ireland, but Slevin will reclaim the mount at Cheltenham and has now shared his thoughts on his likely race. The William Hill ambassador said: “The plan, as far as I know, is that Banbridge will now go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We will be hoping for a dry week as ever with him, but I think he is going to have a crack at the Gold Cup. He is fresh and well at home as it has been a few weeks since the King George.
“I think it is the right thing to do and have a go at the Gold Cup. He has won a William Hill Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown and a King George over three miles at Kempton, and not too many horses can do that in open company. “I think we could serve it up to them in the Gold Cup if conditions are right. He is an exciting horse to be hopefully going out and getting jocked up on in the Gold Cup. He has been a great horse for the yard, and it will be interesting to see what happens.”.
Slevin’s other big ride for the O’Brien stable, Home By The Lee, heads to the Stayers’ Hurdle after scoring at Leopardstown over Christmas. “I think Home By The Lee has good claims in the Stayers’ Hurdle,” Slevin said. “He has been in really good form this season. Joseph has him so he will come to the boil just in time for Cheltenham. I don’t see any reason why he won’t put in his best performance at Cheltenham.
