JJ Slevin’s William Hill blog: Banbridge could be King George bound

William Hill ambassador JJ Slevin updates on his recent Grade 1 win and looks ahead to his rides on day three and four of the Punchestown Festival.

Banbridge’s Grade 1 win

It was a great day on Banbridge, but he is a great horse. Those top-class races are very hard to win and it was a great performance from him. He was going forward going down to the last, and I knew if I got a good jump out of it, he was going to run a big race without necessarily thinking I was going to win. I knew he was always going to gallop to the line and thankfully he did. My hand was forced as much as anything else with him getting there when he did as he wants a bit further, but that is the way the cards fell on the day. I think the headgear helped him travel that bit better over two miles, and jumped sharper, so it definitely wasn’t a negative.

The ground is the big thing with him and I heard them talking afterwards about the possibility of going for the King George (VI Chase) over three miles with him next season. They are going to explore a few options with him. I think he would be competitive in a King George as he likes the track and I don’t see any reason why he would stay the trip if the ground was right. There were no big celebrations afterwards as I’m busy for the rest of the week so it was a case of getting some dinner and going to bed early to get some sleep.

Punchestown, Thursday 

3.40pm – Luminous Light

I’m not sure if he will run tomorrow as he is declared today. He is a decent horse, and he has some decent form next to his name. He is one that will like the better ground and could run well at a bigger price. Hopefully, he could get a bit of each-way money as he will like the track and he will like the ground.

6.00pm – Home By The Lee

It was a massive run from him at Cheltenham in the Stayers’ Hurdle with the blinkers on for the first time. I know he has run well a few times at Cheltenham, but I think there a few things that count against him around there in my opinion. I think we might see a better horse here. The main thing I took out of Cheltenham was how well he travelled. That gives you a definite bit of hope going to Punchestown on a quicker track. I’d be hopeful he can travel around here better. Teahupoo will be hard to beat, but he has a strong each-way chance. The headgear definitely worked at Cheltenham and we are hopeful that we will see a better performance here. A little bit drier ground will definitely be a help to him. We are hoping for a big run from him.

6.35pm – Da Capo Glory

He is a nice horse that has done very well. He ran a cracker to finish seventh in the Coral Cup. He is plenty high enough in the handicap, but on his day he could run a big race. He ran a big race in a Grade Two at Navan in February behind a couple of decent horses and that was probably a career best from him. He will like the track, and the ground, as well. He wears cheekpieces as he is by Fame And Glory and they can race a little bit lazily sometimes. If he could sneak into the money we would be very happy.

7.05pm – Karacole

She has had a few decent runs in maidens and wasn’t beaten far in a Grade Three at Limerick. This is a fair jump up in class, and she will be an outsider, but she is a good traveller and jumps away well. Hopefully she might surprise a few people. If they could nick a bit of money I’m sure they would be delighted.

Punchestown, Friday

6.00pm – Colonel Mustard

I thought it was a great run to be fifth in the Champion Hurdle. Up the hill he was closing on the fourth horse, so I was very pleased with that. There are only four runners, but fair play to Lorna (Fowler) for declaring him and having a go as there is plenty of prizemoney to have a go at. He seems in good shape as I’ve been riding him work and schooling him. He is probably a hard enough horse to place of his rating so you have to look at races like this. Unfortunately, he is not the sort of horse where you could try and nick a race like this from the front. He is a real classy traveller. He is a sharp horse with a bit of boot – he can sprint for two furlongs and go from there. I’ll be trying to drop him in and rob what I can at the end of the race.

7.05pm – Lark In The Mornin

Off his rating of 130 this is a good bit of placing by the lads. You would have to imagine he would have a very good shout as he was a good winner of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. I’ve sat him on a bit since that run along with schooling him. He feels in good shape. It can be hard to back a horse up after Cheltenham when you have turned the screw on them. He is in good shape at home, but you don’t know until you run them. I think the better ground here will be a massive plus and I’m looking forward to riding him again.