Joseph O’Brien is set to be double-handed in this year’s Aintree Grand National after confirming that Banbridge is a likely runner next month at Aintree.
Banbridge Looking Like A Suprise Grand National Runner
Ultra consistent and extremely versatile, Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge is a possible runner in next month’s Aintree Grand National.
Ronnie Bartlett’s horse has had a decorated career so far, winning Grade 1s at three different distances – including the 2024 King George Chase.
Whilst he’s without a victory since that famous Kempton success, he has ran with credit for most of this season.
He contested the King George once back in December and only went down by a nose to The Jukebox Man. Banbridge then went to Cheltenham and finished third in the Ryanair Chase.
Quick ground is the key to Banbridge and with conditions expected to be in his favour, there’s no reason not to have a tilt at the Grand National.
Of course, the opposition will be tough with seven JP McManus runners entered still and he’s not guarnteed to stay, but it could be the last chance this 10-year-old gets to have a crack at the race.
He loves Aintree and won the Manifesto Novices’ Chase there back in 2023.
WATCH: Banbridge Wins 2023 Manifesto At Aintree
O’Brien: We’re Leaning Towards Aintree With Banbridge
Trainer Joseph O’Brien was speaking to the Racing Post:
“Banbridge came out of Cheltenham in good form. I’d say he could go to Aintree for the National. I think he probably might. We’ll keep his options open and a decision will ge made late when we discuss it with Ronnie (Bartlett).
“We’ll see what he’d like to do but we might be leaning towaerds that way. He loves the track.”
Banbridge is a general 50/1 shot and likely would be one of the most surprising Grand National winners in recent memory.
His stablemate Jordans will also head to the big race and is slightly shorter at 40/1.
And it won’t just be the National where O’Brien is represented. Solness looks likely to run in the Topham and Stayers’ Hurdle winner Home By The Lee could go to the Liverpool Hurdle. It should be an exciting few days for the Kilkenny-based stable.
O’Brien is no stranger to Aintree success. He won the Melling Chase back-to-back with Fakir D’ouddairies in 2021 and 2022 as well as Banbridge’s famous Manifesto victory in 2023.
