Slevin hoping ground dries up for Banbridge

JJ Slevin is hoping for nice ground at Cheltenham next week when Banbridge lines up in the Ryanair Chase.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding finished off last season with a Grade 1 success in the Manifesto Novice Chase at Aintree.

He picked up where he left off in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January, beating subsequent Ascot Chase winner Pic D'orhy.

“We were very happy with Banbridge all along this year, we felt that he had improved and I think his first run probably suggested that,” Slevin told Dave Keena in his role as William Hill racing ambassador.

“We were quietly confident (at Kempton). We always thought he had that type of performance in him, he won a Grade 1 over fences as a novice and we thought he had improved.

“You couldn't be going there expecting to beat Edwardstone and Pic D'orhy but we knew we'd give them a race anyway.

“I'm looking forward to Cheltenham, we'll see what the ground is like. If he gets a sound surface he'll be a live contender.

“We know he acts on the track and he handles the occasion, which is important.

“Joseph took his time this year to get him back going. He's a spring horse and he's a real decent horse.”