Baby can't catch Balinboola & Blackmore Balinaboola Steel defied top-weight as he claimed the second divide of the Bann Handicap Hurdle on what was just his second start for trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon. Having filled the runner-up spot on five separate occasions when trained by Garrett Power, the eight-year-old son of Craigsteel pulled up on his debut for Hanlon at Tipperary in June. Sent off a 12/1 chance this afternoon (from 25s in early shows) and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the Seamus Tobin owned victor raced behind the leaders under Rachael Blackmore. He took closer order from three out and was pushed along to lead before the next, keeping on well under pressure to hold off the late effort of Arthur's Baby by three parts of a length. The Phillip Enright ridden runner-up, who was returned the evens favourite, had plenty to do in eighth on the approach to the straight and while he made up plenty of ground, he ultimately couldn't reel-in the winner. The front pair went six lengths clear of Double Windsor (5/1) and Eoin Walsh in third. Assistant trainer Rachel O'Neill said afterwards: "He is a horse we thought a lot of but he disappointed us the last day at Tipperary. He dragged his hind leg through the first hurdle there. "We knew he'd handle the soft ground but we didn't know whether he'd stay the three miles or not. Rachael gave him a great ride, she is top class. She got first run on the favourite and that was a big help. "It's great for his owner Seamus Tobin and I'm delighted for him. "He is in again at Downpatrick and Ballinrobe but we'll see how he is because that ground is testing enough for summer horses."
