Shortcut path for a branch target buffer

An apparatus comprising:

• means for storing predicted target addresses of branch instructions, wherein in response to a fetch block address identifying a fetch block comprising a plurality of program instructions, the means for storing is configured to perform a lookup to identify whether the means for storing stores one or more predicted target addresses for one or more branch instructions in said fetch block;
• means for selecting, when the means for storing is identified in the lookup as storing a plurality of predicted target addresses for a plurality of branch instructions in said fetch block, a next fetch block address from among said plurality of predicted target addresses;
• and
• means for bypassing the branch target selecting circuitry, to forward a predicted target address identified in the lookup as said next fetch block address when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

A method comprising:

• in response to a fetch block address identifying a fetch block comprising a plurality of program instructions, looking up a branch target buffer to identify whether the branch target buffer stores one or more predicted target addresses for one or more branch instructions in said fetch block;
• when the branch target buffer is identified in the lookup as storing a plurality of predicted target addresses for a plurality of branch instructions in said fetch block, selecting a next fetch block address from among said plurality of predicted target addresses;
• and
• when a predetermined condition is satisfied, bypassing said selecting to forward a predicted target address identified in the lookup as said next fetch block address.