Ballyadam maintained his undefeated obstacle record in a fascinating refurbishment of the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle from BARONERACING.COM to Fairyhouse.
Ejected from the 8-15 favorite after winning by a large margin on his hurdles debut, Ballyadam faced much tougher opposition in this first year.
The field was tight everywhere, as Dewcup and The Very Man established a steady pace, with Gordon Elliott’s N’golo and Ballyadam just behind in third and fourth.
As the pace picked up as he turned on the fastball, Jack Kennedy gave Ballyadam a thumbs up and he accelerated smartly, but Cask Mate was gaining ground from behind.
Ballyadam squeezed to the last as Cask Mate landed running and approached a pitch, but the favorite still had a long way to go to come back to the end and win a length and a half, N ‘golo again third.
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Betfair made the winner their 13-2 favorite for the Supreme Novices obstacle course in March.
Elliott said, “You couldn’t ask for more.
“Jack said he’s a bit of a rookie, but it was only his second hurdle race so we can get a lot of positives from that.
“Jack said it was just hands and heels after the last one, he just shook it up a bit. He said there were a lot of horses left but he was still a baby, a lot to learn.
“I was hoping he would win, but it’s never that easy.
“I imagine he’s going to Leopardstown now (at Christmas). He is a tough horse who also stays. Now he is relaxing, he was very interested in his bumpers.