Banbridge lands the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle to complete clean sweep for Ireland on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival
- Banbridge completed a clean sweep of seven wins for the Ireland
- The six-year-old outpointed Cobblers Dream on the run to the line on Friday
- Hollow Games was third and Freedom To Dream finished fourth
Banbridge completed a clean sweep of seven wins for the Ireland on the last day when winning a dramatic race for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Mark McDonagh, outpointed Cobblers Dream on the run to the line after the first two jumped the last together. Banbridge (12-1) stuck his head down and got the verdict by a length and a half. Hollow Games was third and Freedom To Dream fourth.
There was early drama when the favourite Langar Dan came down at the second flight along with Grand Jury, then at the fourth Decimation fell, bringing down Lucky Max.
Banbridge ridden by jockey Mark McDonagh (left) won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
O’Brien said: ‘Mark gave him a great ride. Obviously there was plenty of carnage in behind us through the race and we managed to avoid some of the loose horses down the hill.
‘He’s very tough and I’m delighted for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner). He has supported me very well. It’s fantastic to get a winner here. It’s been a long week.’
