Baby Jake (Gary Carroll) has the riderless Pretty Little Liar in front at the line© Photo Healy Racing
Baby Jake has proved a grand servant to connections and added to four previous wins over hurdles when opening his account on the Flat in the Lougher Stables Handicap at Bellewstown.
The eight-year-old gelding was sent on over half a mile out in this 1m6f event, and stayed on strongly in the straight for Gary Carroll.
The 13/2 chance had four lengths to spare at the line over King’s Wharf, with Dancing Duke three quarters of a length further away in third.
Donagh O’Connor was unseated from Pretty Little Liar soon after the start, and the loose horse may have unwittingly assisted the winner as trainer Shark Hanlon alluded to afterwards.
Hanlon said, “He was unlucky in this race two years ago when a horse fell in front of him (finished second). We decided to come here as he worked well last Saturday, and the loose horse in front of him was a savage help as the company kept him going.
“He could go to Cartmel for a handicap hurdle he won last year, and is a nice horse for Galway.”
