Ballybow books Cheltenham place with gritty Clonmel win

Ballybow booked his Albert Bartlett ticket with victory in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel.

The six-year-old is out of a close relation of Hurricane Fly and after two second-placed point-to-point runs made his bumper debut at the beginning of the season.

He won that Sligo event but encountered some bad luck when making his hurdling bow next time at Fairyhouse, when he was badly hampered and lost a shoe before eventually finishing lame behind Ballygunner Castle.

He looked to have bounced back from that experience when second at Down Royal on his next outing, and at Naas last month he got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles when strolling to a nine-length victory.

Ballybow was the 5-6 favourite to add a Grade Three title to his CV at Clonmel, where he was ridden by Sam Ewing in a small field of three that included Ballygunner Castle.

Ballybow made the running and while Ballygunner Castle, trained by Willie Mullins, did rally in the closing stages but could not get by the winner and went down by half a length on the line.

Paddy Power cut Ballybow from 20-1 to 16-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a result.

“To be honest if I was Sam, I’d have followed Ballygunner Castle instead of him following us, and pushed him along.

“They went no gallop. They quickened over the last two, but the one thing I do like about our horse, from the second-last to the line – even after the last – he dropped his head and showed a good attitude.

“We’ll go for the Albert Bartlett now. I think the race could suit him, and he could have an each-way chance in a race like that, with a lead, coming at a few horses.”