Following a lacklustre return to action at Navan last month, Banbridge produced a much encouraging display in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday. Partnered by Richard Deegan with regular rider J.J.Slevin still sidelined, Joseph O'Brien's charge looked much sharper and his jumping was slicker on this occasion. Still in contention approaching the last, the eight year old was hampered by the winner Energumene who jumped across him at the final obstacle causing him to lose his rider. On a positive note, Banbridge wasn't subjected to a hard race and this ought to have put him spot on for the King George on Boxing Day. Suggested at 33/1 in One Jump Ahead for the Christmas showpiece, we have hopefully got a live ante-post bet. Fingers crossed, J.P.McManus doesn't elect to supplement either Fact Or File or Spillane's Tower - if he doesnt, we could be in business.
It been a lean week for the Top 40 in OJA with a series of seconds but thankfully it ended on a winning note thanks to Supreme Malinas (5/2) in the Listed Henrietta Knight Mares' bumper at Huntingdon. Dan Skelton's mare was unfortunate not to win on her Rules debut at Newton Abbot this Autumn but made amends with a gutsy display at the Cambridgeshire track. Ridden closer to the pace on this occasion, her pointing experience stood her in good stead and Harry Skelton did remarkably well to keep the partnership in tact when she collided with one of the wings in the homestraight. The four year old's stamina came into play as she wore down another ex-pointer Roses All The Way before pulling away to register a length and a quarter win. Likely to be kept in bumpers this term, she looks tailormade for the Listed mares' bumper at Sandown in March - the same connections won the contest with Honky Tonk Highway last season.
The Changing Codes section continues to thrive with Puturhandstogether (4/1) winning the opening juvenile hurdle at Cork. Joseph O'Brien's 84 rated Flat racer didn't jump well on his hurdles bow at Punchestown last month but he was a different proposition here. The Caravaggio gelding raced prominently before taking over after the third last. Pushed out on the run-in, he was value for his one and a quarter lengths win and is a decent prospect who ought to continue to improve.
Having suggested Traprain Law for the inaugural running of the £75,000 Richard Landale Memorial Chase at Kelso, I was disappointed with Lucinda Russell's runner finishing a well beaten fourth. With him reverting back to his optimum trip at one of his favourite tracks on testing ground, everything was in place for a bold showing. The fly in the ointment was the fact fellow front runner Matata only has one way of racing and perhaps Traprain Law didn't enjoy being led. His jumping wasn't as fluent as usual and the writing was on the wall some way from home. As it transpired, the strong early gallop played into the hands of the winner Nells Son who wants a fast run two miles on soft ground.
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