BANBRIDGE (160) has been described by his trainer as a future top-class staying chaser, so the fact he showed enough speed to land a fast-run two-mile chase at Cheltenham on Saturday suggests he is destined to compete at the highest level when stepped up in distance.

As was the case at Gowran Park, the Martin Pipe Hurdle winner measured his fences with the accuracy of a sniper, his leap at the last ditch climbing the hill particularly spectacular. A contested lead with Sole Pretender (148) added to the assignment, even before Tommy’s Oscar (153) emerged with the final challenge.

However, both were dismissed with equal measure and it was also no surprise to find the son of Doyen was superior on the clock to the Paddy Power Chase winner Ga Law (152) every step of the way, when comparing their final circuit and closing sectional.

Joseph O’Brien’s gelding covered the final circuit 2.2secs or 11 lengths quicker than Jamie Snowden’s handicap winner, with the difference between the pair from the final ditch most of the difference at two seconds,

There are doubts over whether Tommy’s Oscar will continue over fences after jumping ponderously in the formative stages of Saturday’s contest. Danny McMenamin was at pains to settle the northern runner.

The same comments could apply to Glory And Fortune, although I would be inclined to give Tom Lacey’s seven-year-old another chance over fences on a flat galloping track such as Newbury.

An appearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle for Tommy’s Oscar could be the first indicator to the level of the form.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup produced a solid performance on the clock with the first two home probably capable of rating higher, especially when stepped up to three miles.

Johnny Burke was forced to sit tight on Ga Law on more than one occasion before taking advantage of the last fence blunder by French Dynamite (152+). I was also taken by the run of Il Ridoto (148+) who looks to have benefited from a breathing operation in the summer and a return to the minimum trip could prove a smart move.