Ball D'Arc claims Grade 2 for billionaire owner

The form of Supreme Novices Hurdle antepost favourite Min received another boost at Naas today as the progressive Gordon Elliott trained Ball D'Arc landed the Grade 2 Paddy Power Shops Better Value Novice Hurdle.

Carrying the colours of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud and ridden by Bryan Cooper, the son of Network arrived with his challenge on the outer from the second last. From there Ball D'Arc eventually shook off the challenge of Moon Over Germany for a two lengths win.

Elliott later stated “he did it nicely and I'm happy with that.

“The last day in Punchestown it wasn't as heavy and we thought then that brought about the improvement.

“Bryan (Cooper) said he struggled the whole way through the race in that ground but just got through it and I think he'll be a lot better on better ground and could be a nice horse.”

Previously Ball D'Arc had been routed by Willie Mullins' Min at Punchestown in January and while the ability of the beaten horses has been questioned (in relation to Min's Cheltenham prospects), Ball D'Arc has since bagged a Listed Hurdle and today's Grade 2 contest.

Today's Sunday Independant is also reporting that Ball D'Arc's owner Michael O'Leary, of Ryanair fame, has, for the first time, joined the billionaire 'club'.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson