Birthday success for Guilfoyle as Baltinglass wins well Baltinglass Hill recorded his third career success and his first since 2021, as he comfortably accounted for 14-rivals in the first divide of the Shanagher Hearing Handicap Hurdle. Having once reached a mark of 104, the Philip Rothwell-trained seven-year-old is now on rated 90 and was sent off a 7/1 chance this evening in the colours of owner James Guilfoyle. Settled behind the leaders by Paddy O'Hanlon, the winning son of Cable Bay took closer order on the approach to three out and was soon in a share of the lead. He gained a narrow advantage when pushed along before the last and surged clear when ridden on the run-in, coming home eight-lengths to the good. Returned the 3/1 favourite, Rightfolksplease disputed the lead and travelled strongly on the approach to two out, however he found little when ridden before the last and had to settle for second under Kevin Sexton for Paul Flynn. Trained by Adrian Sexton and ridden by his son Harry, Kiss My Lucky Egg (16/1) was another three-lengths away in third. "I was hoping to have a runner or two for Jim (Guilfoyle) this week and hoping that we'd have a chance as it's his 70th birthday and he's a huge supporter of the yard," Rothwell remarked. "He has two or three horses in training all the time and is an amazing loyal supporter, such a great owner, so I'm delighted we've made this work. The horses are running really well. "He's had some great runs, he didn't really handle the track at Downpatrick the last day but the winner (Golden Temple) won easily and won the novice again tonight. I thought his run in Ballinrobe before that was very solid. "I'd say he could jump a fence, he's run over fences as well and we could find a chase for him somewhere along the line and hopefully we can keep him in one piece." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards interviewed J. Coen, rider of Banada Bridge, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that the first strike was for corrective purposes but accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J. Coen was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard (second offence), they suspended him for five racedays. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
