Bahati Boy jumps a flight under Paul Cosgrave © Photo Healy Racing
Bahati Boy landed a nice touch as he took the Giltspur Scientic Maiden Hurdle, scoring for the Cosgrave father and son team of trainer Jerry and rider Paul.
Jerry who trains nearby in Banbridge, last tasted success back in May when Hi Vic won over the course, but Paul was recording his first winner in over eight years, with his last victory coming aboard Lovely Native, who was also trained by his father, who won at Downpatrick on December 15th 2004.
Bahati Boy, who is a six-year-old son of King’s Theatre, was 33/1 this morning with Paddy Power (40/1 in a place), opening on-course at just 16/1 before going off a 12/1 chance.
He raced behind the leaders in fifth in the early stages, and he was fourth at the fifth last flight.
He made headway to challenge at the second last, soon hitting the front and travelling best.
He was ridden after the last, and despite tiring on the run, he just held on to score by a neck at the line. Bowfinger for Willie and Emmett Mullins, was the one who was chasing him down, but he had to settle for second at 3/1, while the 8/11 favourite (was 11/8 this morning) Stay In My Heart could only manage a disappointing third, a length back under David Casey for Charlie Swan.
The winner, who was formerly trained by Clare Cannon, was having just his second run for Cosgrave and his second run over hurdles.
Cosgrave said afterwards: “That went according to plan. We’ve got him well settled at home, he was hard to handle when he came to us, we’ve only got him three to four months.
"He’ll probably go for a winners hurdle next. He didn’t jump as well as the last day but that ground is as fast as he would have wanted it. He likes a bit of a cut.
"I was worried when he was sweating up beforehand but he was okay."
The winner is owned by David Aiken, who was enjoying his first racecourse success, from the nearby village of Dromara.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
