Perseverance pays off for connections of Baby’s

Baby's Hot finally got it right on the eleventh time of asking as she landed Division 2 of the Harvest Festival 11th to 17th September Handicap Hurdle for trainer Dessie Hughes and jockey Bryan Cooper.

The daughter of Winged Love had been placed just twice before and perseverance from connections finally paid off here.

Racing into the straight she was fifth but she responded well to her jockeys urgings to close approaching the last and raced away after that to score by three lengths at the finish from Money Trail at 25/1 back in second. Jackieandy was a further length and a quarter back in third at 20/1, with the 9/2 favourite Bobby John just getting up for fourth, completing the placing.

Winning trainer Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "She is owned by the Big Hat No Cattle syndicate, which is headed by Michael Maher, who is a doctor in Dublin. He deserved this win for persevering with her.

"She has shown signs of ability in the past but she jumped terrible at Limerick on her last start and dropped right out.

"She was No 25 on the ballot and thankfully she got in. At least she will get into races now as we had been finding it difficult before". (DM)