Banbridge connections in no rush to firm up future big-race plans

A decision has still to be made on which major race Joseph O’Brien’s will contest in the spring.

The Ronnie Bartlett-owned chestnut came from a long way back to catch Il Est Francais in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That had been the nine-year-old’s first big objective of the season and with such a successful outcome, he has been enjoying a mid-season break since.

As his work begins to build back up, connections of the three-times Grade One winner need to decide which championship race at the Cheltenham Festival will suit him best, as he holds an entry in all three – the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and the Boodles Gold Cup.

Or he could even just wait for Aintree, where he won the Manifesto Novices’ Chase two years ago.

“Banbridge is in good form. He hasn’t done much since Kempton, but he’s in good shape,” said O’Brien.

“I’ve not had a chat with Ronnie about where he’ll go next, but we’re looking forward to the spring with him and he’s been training well since Kempton.

“We will just see how all the races look like shaping up, see what conditions are like and then just go with where we feel the best option is.”

O’Brien is definitely targeting Cheltenham with Home By The Lee, though, who despite being a 10-year-old has looked better than ever this season.

He beat Bob Olinger by three and a half lengths in the Lismullen Hurdle in November and increased his advantage over his old rival to six lengths in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown, his second win in the Christmas feature.

“Home By The Lee is also in really good form and he will go straight to the Stayers’ Hurdle,” said O’Brien.