Wednesday’s racing round-up brings news of potential plans for Banbridge and Brighterdaysahead…

Joseph O'Brien has suggested his stable star Banbridge will be targeted at the Punchestown Festival after his below-par performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last Friday. The nine-year-old King George winner was never able to land a blow in the blue riband chase at the Festival, but connections are hoping for a quick return to form, with the Punchestown Gold Cup reportedly his preferred target over the Champion Chase, which he won twelve months ago.

Connections of the Giggingstown-owned mare Brighterdaysahead have revealed that there is a "small chance" she could make a quick return to action at Aintree next month. Following a facile 30-length success in the Neville Hotels Hurdle (Gr.1) at Leopardstown in December, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was pitched into a mouthwatering Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham. However, in what proved a dramatic affair with the early exit of Constitution Hill followed by State Man's final flight crashing fall, Brighterdaysahead failed to show her true colours and faded out of contention, ultimately finishing a well-held fourth. According to reports, a step back up to two and a half miles for the Aintree Hurdle may be on the cards.

Patrick Mullins enjoyed his first winner at Haydock when he steered Jarrive De Mee to a commanding victory this afternoon. The leading Irish amateur, who outlined his plans to ride a winner at every National Hunt track in Britain, made virtually all of the running on the 1/2 market leader, drawing clear to cross the line 21 lengths in front of his nearest pursuer. Mullins has already ridden winners at Catterick, Carlisle, Fontwell and Bangor this season and will head to Kelso on Saturday as he bids to add to the tally.

Cian Collins has suggested a trip to Punchestown looks likely to be on the cards for his poignant Cheltenham Festival winner Jazzy Matty. The six-year-old, who was ridden by the late Michael O'Sullivan to victory when trained by Gordon Elliott in 2023, doubled his Cheltenham Festival tally with a smooth success in the Grand Annual last week. Beyond his more immediate target at the Punchestown Festival, Collins also floated the idea that Jazzy Matty could be seen in a Galway Plate further down the line.

The opening 2m4f novice handicap chase at Haydock resulted in a walkover after two of the intended three runners were late withdrawals because of the ground. The Gary and Josh Moore-trained Hermino AA and Donald McCain's Galunggung were both withdrawn, leaving Jennie Candlish's Yealand to stroll home under, Sean Quinlan punched the air ironically to the crowd.

Clerk of the course Dan Cooper said on Racing TV: "Tracking declarations it didn't look so strong then and a few late ones came in. It's a spring day and there's been watering on the track. It's dried up which it was at risk of doing.

"I'm glad they've walked it and had a look at the track. They weren't sure and they've probably done the right thing for their situation, so I can't complain."