\n<\/p>\n
Banbridge’s participation in the King George came after a discussion in May between O’Brien, the son of champion Flat trainer Aidan, and the horse’s owner Ronnie Bartlett following victory in the Champion Chase at Punchestown.<\/p>\n
But after Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, had built up a lead of about 10 lengths, victory for any of the chasing pack, including Banbridge, seemed unlikely.<\/p>\n
“I thought Il Est Francais was gone, turning for home,” O’Brien told ITV Racing.<\/p>\n
“I grew up watching races like this, so to have a runner is special and to win a race like this is dream stuff.”<\/p>\n
Townend added: “I felt I could catch Il Est Francais. I thought it was on, going to the second last.<\/p>\n
“Stamina was a question mark, that’s why I rode him like I did.”<\/p>\n
O’Brien was non-committal about the eight-year-old’s plans for the rest of the season and whether the Gold Cup or the Ryanair Chase would be his Cheltenham Festival target.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n