'We could have another look at the King George' - Banbridge rolls back the years with winning Flat debut at Gowran
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Making his belated Flat debut at the age of ten, the evergreen Banbridge proved there is loads of life still left in him by winning the concluding 1m6f maiden in emphatic fashion under Joey Sheridan to set up another crack at the King George at Christmas.
Last seen in the Grand National, in which he unshipped JJ Slevin at the Chair, Banbridge belied a 143-day absence to take what looked a hot-looking staying maiden in the style of a horse still capable of winning at a high level over fences.
The 167-rated chaser was sent off 4-1 to make a winning start to his Flat career, but even trainer Joseph O'Brien admitted afterwards that he did not expect him to score, so he was pleasantly surprised to see him oblige by two lengths from Ballybawn Belter.
Banbridge, who won the 2024 King George and was beaten only a whisker by The Jukebox Man in his attempt for back-to-back wins in the Christmas showpiece at Kempton, is a 20-1 shot with sponsors Ladbrokes to regain his crown in December.
O'Brien said: "I didn't expect that, but it was great to see him back and win the way he did.
"He has a couple of options going forward. He could go to America; there is the race at Down Royal for him as well, and we could have another look at the King George."
O'Brien added: "It's just so nice to see him back and running so well. We'll discuss the options for him with Ronnie [Bartlett, owner] over the next week or so and come up with a plan."
The trainer also saddled Starborn Legend to win the 7f maiden, his129th Flat winner of 2026 in all countries. Banbridge made it 130 two and a half hours later.
O'Brien's previous best total in a calendar year was 128, so his record-breaking season continues to go from strength to strength.
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