Diamond Harry extends unbeaten run to six
Report: Cheltenham, Saturday
Racecourse of the Year Classic Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4½f
BALLYMORE PROPERTIES favourite Diamond Harry extended his unbeaten run to six with a battling success over Bensalem at Cheltenham on Saturday.
However, victory was not quite as simple for the 8-15 favourite as expected, with the Nick Williams-trained winner hanging badly left and looking novicey at times.
Ruby Walsh set the early pace aboard Tataniano, with Diamond Harry sitting handy behind, but it was Bensalem who broke first, showing an impressive turn of foot to test Timmy Murphy's mount all the way to the line.
Bookmakers, unsurprisingly, were far from bowled over by the performance withStan James leaving Diamond Harry unchanged at 3-1 for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.
Runner-up Bensalem was introduced at 14-1 for the Ballymore Properties and cut to 7-1 (from 11-1) for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
Williams said: "He was as a brave as a lion. He has never had to be off the bridle over hurdles and it has got to happen sometime of course - although I didn't really want it to.
"The second horse is not to be under estimated and they have come a long way clear so looking at that, he shouldn't be running again before the Festival."
Bensalem's trainer Alan King added: "We'll get the winner one day but I'm 3-0 with him at the moment. It's disappointing to get beat but I'm very pleased with my horse.
"That's the first proper race he's had and a good battle will have done him good. I know he idles when he's in front and he had no company in the closing stages.
"His work has always been very good and he'll make a smashing chaser next season.
"He'll be entered in both the Albert Bartlett and the Ballymore at the Festival and we'll decide nearer the time where we go."
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Topic Author
