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2024 Ryanair Chase

…JOB re Banbridge;

We have been training him for the Ryanair Chase all season. We would have loved to have run him more than we have to this point in the season, but everyone knows that we feel he has a notable preference for better ground, and we were always conscious that he was likely to have a busy spring, so we didn’t want to run him on unsuitable ground for the sake of it. We were delighted with his performance in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton and that form has been well advertised since. That was a career-best effort, and we feel that there is scope for more to come from him. The ground really is the key for him. We pulled him out of the Turners’ Novices’ Chase last year when the rain arrived on the day and we’d consider doing the same this year if that happened again, but his preparation has gone particularly well, and we’ll run him if we can at all. Aintree and Punchestown will be on his agenda too.
 
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Cheltenham expect to start on Soft so weather/ground going to be a big worry again for Banbridge. He's your ultimate NRMB horse.
 
Lobos said:
Cheltenham expect to start on Soft so weather/ground going to be a big worry again for Banbridge. He's your ultimate NRMB horse.
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….i think him and Galvin look unlikely given the forecast. My Diamond Geezer entries taking a hit.
 
Lobos said:
Cheltenham expect to start on Soft so weather/ground going to be a big worry again for Banbridge. He's your ultimate NRMB horse.
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He's my main reason this year for concern re the ground.
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Really wish the Clerk would update us daily at this stage.

The expected heavy rain today or tomorrow could be the final nail in the coffin for Banbridge but then again if it's only mild rainfall and we get some more dry days, then we're back to good to soft, and he's considering watering.
 
Eggs said:
….i think him and Galvin look unlikely given the forecast. My Diamond Geezer entries taking a hit.
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Ground can dry up so quickly though as we know.
 
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The drainage system to me means I don't pay too much attention until the weekend before. Get two decent days Sunday and Monday and it's a different ball game
 
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On standard gtos Bandbridge pisses this doesnt he looks such a poor g1.
 
Folski said:
On standard gtos Bandbridge pisses this doesnt he looks such a poor g1.
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He'd be right up there yes........but.,........I just can't see it being anything other than Soft or worse. He just can perform under those Conditions. They'll be saving him for Aintree again.
 
Lobos said:
He'd be right up there yes........but.,........I just can't see it being anything other than Soft or worse. He just can perform under those Conditions. They'll be saving him for Aintree again.
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Weather looks pretty dry from the 6th on bbc weather

Hopefully get perfect no excuses gd to soft

Can't see past him or envoi myself

Envoi will be travelling on the snaff turning In again hopefully
 
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…Ahoy Senor;

‘Ahoy Senor is also in the Gold Cup, but I am leaning towards the Ryanair for him. I think it is a race he can be very competitive in. He ran very well at Ascot the other day and we will be a lot more aggressive if he runs in the Ryanair. God willing, that is where he will go.”
 
…GA Law;

‘The entries for the Ryanair come out before Trials Day so I didn’t stick him in but he won on Trials Day very well and he is back to his best. He was fifth in the Ryanair last year on the back of a nasty fall in the Sky Bet Chase. He worked on Tuesday morning brilliantly and I think we will think about supplementing him for the Ryanair. Banbridge looks the obvious one, but he wants decent ground, and he came out the race last year. We couldn’t be happier with Ga Law, and he would be giving away lumps of weight if we went for the Plate and I suppose you have to have 7lb or 8lb in hand if you are going to win the Plate.”
 
….Banbridge;

There’s still a long time to go between now and then, there’s lots of racing to happen and lots of weather forecasts that will come and go,” said O’Brien.

“As we’ve said all along, we’ll look forward to the race and hopefully we’ll walk the track on the morning of the race and hopefully he can run.

“Very much the plan is to run. He’s prepared well for Cheltenham so far.”
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Eggs said:
….Banbridge;

There’s still a long time to go between now and then, there’s lots of racing to happen and lots of weather forecasts that will come and go,” said O’Brien.

“As we’ve said all along, we’ll look forward to the race and hopefully we’ll walk the track on the morning of the race and hopefully he can run.

“Very much the plan is to run. He’s prepared well for Cheltenham so far.”
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Be interesting with this, as will likely get declared, then a massive rule 4 if pulled out.

Ante post won't be affected but anything from Tuesday onward would be?
 
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opatcho said:
Protektorat for the Ryanair was one of my early selections, if it came soft/testing on the Thursday, I be really keen on him as long as Harry just let him go from the front

they've been trying to get 3 miles with this horse, but he’s been keen too early on

a testing Ryanair could bring him into play
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Fair play Opatcho!
 
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opatcho said:
Thanks, backed him in September. Had to drive into my betting accounts to check where I placed the bet lol

yeah, there was plenty of pace for a horse like him to travel and stay on

also helped that the jockey and trainer where flying by that point

enjoyed that one :-)
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One of your other early Ryanair fancies, Bronn, will be down to a winning mark for next year's plate after bombing out in every marathon chase Willie throws at him! I find it strange the way he's being campaigned this year.
 
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Fouroverthrutwo said:
One of your other early Ryanair fancies, Bronn, will be down to a winning mark for next year's plate after bombing out in every marathon chase Willie throws at him! I find it strange the way he's being campaigned this year.
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He’s in the tracker, hopefully he sneaks in at a decent prize
 
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