O'Brien eyeing King George glory with Banbridge
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Joseph O'Brien is targeting the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase with Banbridge following his late exit at Cork on Sunday.
While disappointing on his seasonal reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan last month, the eight-year-old looked right back to his best in the Hilly Way as he looked set to give dual Champion Chase hero Energumene a real run for his money when unseating Richie Deegan at the final fence.
O'Brien reports his charge to have emerged from the incident unscathed and is now hoping a long-term plan comes to fruition, with Banbridge set to tackle three miles over fences for the first time since his point-to-point days in Kempton's St Stephen's Day spectacular.
"He's come out of it fine and I was very pleased with him. Giving Energumene 10lb, to give him a little bit of a fright at the last I thought was a great run over that trip," said the Owning Hill handler.
"We knew he'd come on from Navan and we've been working from race to race.
"Since Punchestown (in the spring), we've been targeting the King George and the plan was that we'd have the two prep runs. We've been happy with how both of those races have gone and now, pending conditions at Kempton, he'll go for the King George. The drier the ground the better for him."
Banbridge is a previous winner at Kempton, having claimed the notable scalp of Pic D'Orhy when landing the Grade Two Silviniaco Conti Chase at the track in January, and race sponsors Ladbrokes make him a 14-1 shot for the King George.
O'Brien also provided a positive update on the well-being of Home By The Lee, who made a successful start to his campaign in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan last month.
The Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle — a race he won in 2022 — is next on the nine-year-old's agenda.
"He'll go back to Leopardstown and he's been training well," O'Brien added.
Meanwhile, Galway Plate hero Pinkerton looks set to bid for another major prize in the Nyetimber December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Also a winner at the Punchestown Festival in the spring, the eight-year-old provided trainer Noel Meade with his second victory in Galway's €250,000 summer showpiece at the end of July, 10 years on from the triumph of his top-class chaser Road To Riches.
Pinkerton was last seen finishing second to Gordon Elliott's subsequent Fortria Chase winner Found A Fifty in a Grade Two at Down Royal and was one of 14 horses to stand their ground for this weekend's Cheltenham feature at Monday's confirmation stage.
"He's a probable runner. He's got to work in the morning so we'll see how that goes, but if the work goes good, there's a good chance he'll run," said Meade.
"He's in good form, I hope. We just want to get some blood tests done, as his blood was a bit off a fortnight ago. I'm hoping it's back to normal.
"We wouldn't want fast ground or anything like that, but I'm sure it won't be and if he gets there well, he'd have his chance for sure."
The December Gold Cup weights are headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star, who will look to improve on his comeback run when fourth in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Nicholls will also saddle Il Ridoto, who is out to complete a big Cheltenham double following his victory in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old looks set to renew rivalry with plenty of those who finished behind him in the November feature, with the runner-up Ga Law (Jamie Snowden), the fourth home Madara (Dan Skelton) and the fifth placed Fugitif (Richard Hobson) — a thrilling winner of last year's December Gold Cup over Il Ridoto — all in the mix.
The Venetia Williams-trained Gemirande, Alan King's Grandeur D'Ame, and James Du Berlais from the Willie Mullins yard also feature in a wide-open contest.