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This is still a very open race. Not sure if Banbridge will show or not, you’d imagine he’ll be entered and it could be a very last minute thing like the Turners last year. If you go off what Timeform say most of the recent Ryanairs were on good-soft so he should be fine but they do strike me as being very precious about him and obviously the Turners was on the same day as the Ryanair last year and he was a no show. Even if he runs, entitled to improve for today, the bare form is probably similar to what Stage Star and Allaho achieved this season at their best but not miles better and he didn’t jump amazing did he? They’re all sort of hovering around that mid 160s level and it does bring last seasons winner into the mix too. You couldn’t back Banbridge now I don’t think, if they all line up I don’t see him being shorter than 3/1 on the day.
If the ground is similar to last year, I think Banbridge will run this time. The owner likes having runners at Cheltenham, the horse is not a novice anymore and you cannot keep wrapping them up in cotton wool.
“you cannot keep wrapping them up in cotton wool.”
Bang goes my theory that CAS is actually Nicky Henderson.
“If the ground is similar to last year, I think Banbridge will run this time. The owner likes having runners at Cheltenham, the horse is not a novice anymore and you cannot keep wrapping them up in cotton wool.”
Definitely. Once they get a bit older and connections remember that time at the top is finite, they tend to get a bit less fussy about ground.
Banbridge won’t run if its soft. As he’s rubbish on it no point.
Owner says “If the ground is nice he’ll go for the Ryanair; it would be nice to take Michael O’Leary’s money!”
The Racing Post’s “Expert Jury” all like Banbridge’s chance:
AllaNO – injured and ruled out.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I called it a few days ago before his run at Thurles. He had no business being there after a gruelling King George only 3 weeks prior, especially at 10yo. Career over now.
Shame about Allaho, I’ve knocked his form this season but never nice to see these horses picking up injuries and missing the festival. I wonder if we might see some defections from the Gold Cup picture this way if Galopin wins the Irish Gold Cup like he did the Savills Chase. Small field Gold Cup, big field Ryanair potentially, particularly if the ground is worse than Goldilocks Banbridge likes it
The vet has been visiting Stage Star a few times it seems. As I understand it they’re not sure if something went amiss with him following that last fence blunder in the Paddy Power. I wouldn’t say he is a certain runner either.
Unashamedly pocket talking but the connections of Banbridge must run him now. When else will he have a better chance of winning?
This is looking a good race to have a few e.w punts in , Banbridge is obvs but no certainty , last year’s winners shouldn’t be discounted either
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
You can’t Ban the bridge!
Wins by the length of Cheltenham high street if it’s Good ground, scrambles home by a length and a half, with me and CAS having borderline coronaries (but finally rightfully collecting on him will pay for our subsequent healthcare), if it’s a quagmire.
Of course they will run him – he will never get a better chance to win a Cheltenham Festival Grade 1.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"
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