Ballyburn battles to Labrokes victory

Ballyburn had to dig deep to get back to winning ways in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Willie Mullins’ charge had proved no match for Sir Gino over an inadequate two miles at Kempton over Christmas and went to post an 8/13 shot in today’s two-mile-five contest.

The hotpot took a lead off Champ Kiely for most of the trip before slipping to the front after the second last in the Grade 1 event. Croke Park threw down a strong challenge going to the last and a better jump there briefly gave him the advantage.

Ballyburn found plenty though on the run-in and asserted in the closing stages to post a five-length success in the colours of Ronnie Bartlett.

Mullins said:- “Kempton was too sharp for him, and it lit him up as well so he was fairly lit today with Paul.

“He eventually got him settled and was afraid to move on him then in case he took off again, so he didn’t do any racing until after the last.

“He did what he usually does, he quickened up from the last to home. He looks a decent sort.

“He’s bred to get three miles, so it was fascinating that he was able to do what he did over two miles.

“His jumping was improved today and going at the pace they were going over that trip, it was going to be easier for him.”

Townend told RTE afterwards:- “He’s learning all the time.

“He learned a lot, jumping at speed, in Kempton and he was good today when I asked him but he’s forward going so you can’t keep asking him or you’ll make him free.

“You are kind of trying to teach him on the job and that’s what I was doing.

“He wasn’t fast away from the last and Sam headed me but I was kind of hoping when I gave him a slap he’d kick in again and he did.

“I was happy to let him fiddle one or two to get him back underneath me and he is learning but he can take a bite after being let rock over two miles.

“We were lengthening again down to the last and I wasn’t fast at it, he’s a novice and he was fine, but Sam really flew it.

“I thought I had a little bit up my sleeve and that when I gave him a slap that his little bit of class would kick in and it did.”

Betfair made the winner 9/4 (from 5/2) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)