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Banbridge saved on strongly to change into the primary Irish-trained winner of the Grade Two Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.
Joseph O’Brien’s eight-year-old was having his first outing for 275 days however acquired the higher of defending champion Pic D’Orhy due to leaping the ultimate fence higher below JJ Slevin.
Pic D’Orhy, who coasted to a 16-length success on this contest 12 months in the past, set the tempo early on from Banbridge, with the opposite three runners in a line a couple of lengths again.
Banbridge wins simply within the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham
Notlongtillmay made a quick ahead transfer on the flip for dwelling, whereas Edwardstone and Janidil by no means fairly acquired into the competition.
That left Banbridge and Pic D’Orhy to battle it out up the house straight and a late blunder by the latter proved decisive, with the 3-1 victor prevailing by a size and three-quarters.
Successful proprietor Ronnie Bartlett informed Racing TV: “We have been at all times searching for good floor for him and we acquired it right now. He was possibly a wee bit rusty at occasions however we’re very pleased – he put up a stable efficiency.
“He made a couple of errors however he is been off the observe for a very long time, so it is fairly thrilling.
“He simply appears to be very skilled, he is extra mature, he is acquired greater and thicker and he is simply in a great way. He was very cool about travelling over right here, he was relaxed and it was a great way to begin the season.
“We have had him effervescent for a very long time and there have been races we have been going for however the floor wasn’t what we needed, however Joseph mentioned there may be nonetheless some enchancment to go and we’re proud of that.”
Banbridge was lower from 10-1 to 5-1 for the Ryanair Chase by Betfair, Coral and Paddy Energy.
“We’ll wait and see what the bottom is like, he is a spring horse, so we’ll watch him accordingly, however all being properly, that is the race we’ll be going for,” added Bartlett.
There was a tragic postscript to the race, as Notlongtillmay suffered a deadly fall on the final fence.
Tearful coach Laura Morgan informed ITV Racing: “It is completely horrendous, he did not deserve that. He simply took a nasty fall on the final and broke his shoulder.
“He is been our secure star and it is so upsetting. It is going to depart a large gap within the yard on daily basis, he was such a personality as properly – and little Ernie, the horse that has include him, he’ll miss him.”
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