Banntown targets Leopardstown for a second attempt

Amateur jockey Rob James and his 7lb claim were utilised at Punchestown today and, in handicapping terms, worked too well on 19-lengths winner Banntown Girl in the 'Get A Run For Your Money' BetVictor Handicap Hurdle.

James, with 307 point-to-point winners, moved Banntown Girl clear approaching the last for an easy win from First Dare to provide the Scottish Grand National-winning rider with his 17th racecourse success.

Winning trainer Sonny Carey commented “she’s a good filly when she’s right and it’s great to get a winner. I thought she’d run well. We were disappointed the last day but we changed one or two things around and it seems to have worked.

“We’ll probably work back from the Paddy Mullins (Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival - in which she finished third in 2022).”

Quotes from Alan Magee