'It would be nice to take Michael O'Leary's money!' - Banbridge slashed to 5-1 for Ryanair Chase after hard-fought win

Banbridge ensured the trophy for the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase was the latest piece of Kempton silverware to be heading back to Ireland as he shrugged off a 275-day absence to beat last year's winner Pic D'Orhy by a length and three-quarters under JJ Slevin.

After Hewick's heroics for trainer Shark Hanlon in the King George on December 26, it was the turn of Joseph O'Brien to plunder another big Kempton prize for Ireland, although the winner carried the colours of Scotsman Ronnie Bartlett, who was all smiles in the winner's enclosure. 

"We've been looking for good ground and we got it today," said Bartlett. "He looked a bit rusty at times and made a few mistakes but he's been off the track for a long time, so it's pretty exciting."

The 2022 Martin Pipe winner landed his first Grade 1 when last seen in the Manifesto Novices' Chase in April and he was cut to 5-1 (from 10) by Coral for the Ryanair Chase in March. Providing the ground is suitable, Bartlett said that race was the ultimate target.

"He's more mature and he was very cool about travelling over here," said the owner. "We've had him bubbling for a while and there have been races that we've been going for and the ground wasn't the way we wanted, but hopefully there's a bit of improvement to come. 

"If the ground is nice he'll go for the Ryanair; it would be nice to take Michael O'Leary's money!"

Banbridge: jumps into a narrow lead at the final fenceCredit: Mark Cranham

Slevin, riding at Kempton for the first time in his career but winning aboard Banbridge for the seventh, felt the eight-year-old had improved from last season and hoped the best was still to come.

"He's very good," said the rider. "We felt he'd strengthened up and hopefully he's an even better horse this year. He felt a bit rusty on the way round and hopefully he'll sharpen up for that. I'm delighted with that performance."

Pic D'Orhy, an emphatic 16-length winner of the £80,000 prize 12 months ago, put in a cleaner round of jumping than the winner but his first error came when it mattered most at the last, allowing Banbridge to seize the initiative. 

"It's a bit frustrating because there wasn't quite a stride there at the last," said trainer Paul Nicholls. "He needed a big one to keep him in it and he didn't quite get it. He was giving three pounds away to the winner and they're two good horses. 

"We'll go to the Ascot Chase next and then to Aintree, which suits him brilliantly. He loves tracks like that and Kempton. We've never been convinced Cheltenham is his track and he can't do both Cheltenham and Aintree. The Melling Chase is perfect for him." 

Janidil, the winner of a Grade 1 in 2021, finished a further 17 lengths away in third. The 2022 Arkle winner Edwardstone finished a disappointing fourth stepping up to 2m4½f for the first time over fences.

There was a sad postscript as last year's Turners Novices' Chase runner-up Notlongtillmay, the star of Laura Morgan's burgeoning Leicestershire yard, suffered what proved to be a fatal injury when falling at the last fence.

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