Templegate says one of the most exciting chasers in training has to be backed at 5-1 for the Ryanair
SOMETIMES you have to hold your hands up and admit to making a rick.
And not backing Banbridge for the Ryanair before his excellent comeback win at Kempton on Saturday was a major rick on my part.
Joseph O’Brien has been patient with his star chaser who used every ounce of his undoubted staying power to conquer Pic D’Orhy in the Silviniaco Conti Chase.
It’s one thing to be a brilliant novice – as he showed when winning at Aintree in April – but this was his first big victory in open company.
He put in a superb jump at the last under the excellent JJ Slevin and beat the Paul Nicholls runner with plenty left in the tank.
So he was 10-1 for the Ryanair before that but I have still taken the 5-1 currently on offer for Thursday’s Cheltenham Festival highlight.
I know it’s galling when you could have had double that price but he showed his wellbeing at Kempton and those odds still make plenty of appeal.
Now he has to take on Allaho who is coming back from injury and failed to impress in the King George on Boxing Day.
The only worry is that Banbridge doesn’t want testing ground and O’Brien pulled him out of the Turners on the day last year because it was too soft.
But we’re at the non-runner, no bet stage now so we can take the 5-1 knowing we’ll be refunded if he doesn’t run.
Kempton is very different from Cheltenham but he won the Grade 2 Arkle Trial at Prestbury Park in 2022 when he seemed to love the place.
Not to go over the top but he’s one of the most exciting chasers in training and he can prove it by winning the Ryanair.
Bet: Banbridge to win the Ryanair Chase at 5-1
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