Balrath just holds Niece in a thriller Balrath Hope appreciated a drop in class to open her jumping account in the two-mile handicap hurdle but only after a protracted battle from the second last with Gothen Niece. A dual winner on the Flat last year, the four-year-old filly struck the front entering the straight but was immediately pressed by Gothen Niece. The pair drew clear as both gave everything despite being far from foot perfect at the final two hurdles, and it was Robbie Colgan’s mount who just held sway on the run-in when holding on by a head. There was a yawning gap of 16 lengths back to 7/2 favourite Island Villa in third. Trainer Gavin Cromwell said of the 6/1 winner, “She stuck at it well and it’s all about jumping with her. She got it together today. She missed the second last and the last a bit but got away with it. She’ll stay handicap hurdling.” Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
