Tough sort Ballinaboola Steel gains third win of campaign

Fifth here on Monday, Ballinaboola Steel (17/2) fared better on his second start of the week in the Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle as he galloped on strongly up the stands’ side to beat West Cork Wildway (4/1) by three quarters of a length.

The 5/2 favourite Premium Package had to give best before the final flight and finished third.

The winner, after missing a year and a half, has thrived on a busy schedule since racing resumed in June and this success added to two wins at Wexford earlier in the campaign for in-form handler ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

Winning rider Bryan Cooper said: "I probably should have committed a bit sooner with him on Monday, he was only beaten three lengths.

“The horse was in good form yesterday morning so he said he'd run him again.

“The three miles definitely helped him, he travelled a bit better, and I was a winner everywhere really — I travelled great. The bit more ease in the ground suited him as well.

“He's a tough old sort, he's on the go a while now. It was a good performance because he hasn't been lightly campaigned.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson