Built By Ballymore and JJ Slevin gallop home© Photo Healy Racing
Built By Ballymore put in a stout staying effort on attritional ground at Punchestown to secure the rated novice hurdle over 2m4f.
The top-weight was well off the bridle in rear of the five contenders after two out, but stuck to his task in an improving fourth inside the final two furlongs.
JJ Slevin had three horses in front of him approaching the last so switched his horse out and the pair picked off the wilting trio to lead. The new leader wasn't foot perfect over the last, but he kept going to score by 12 lengths in the end at 11/4. Silver King (10/1 - 17/2) could give no more in second on the run-in.
Built By Ballymore won his maiden hurdle in Limerick over Christmas by the same 12-length margin.
Martin Brassil said: "When I saw the way the ground was I said we might get 'Limerick' ground again.
“He just handles the muck. He mightn't quicken up, but he just keeps going in it.
“I felt he might have been put in high enough, but in those conditions he handles it better than most.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
