Cheltenham-Aintree double as Belfast Banter claims Fahey and Sexton s first Grade 1 prize
County Hurdle winner may now be aimed at Galway Hurdle later this summer. By Press Association Friday 9 Apr 2021, 4:41 PM Fri 4:41 PM 1,655 Views 1 Comment
Belfast Banter (noseband) hit the front to win at Aintree.
Image: Tim Goode/PA
Image: Tim Goode/PA
BELFAST BANTER HANDLED the huge step up to Grade One company from handicaps to win the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
Peter Fahey’s six-year-old only made it into the County Hurdle off bottom-weight, but he enjoyed the slightly better ground at Cheltenham and looked even better on Merseyside.
Bradford trainer Sue Smith, inset, has another runner at Aintree today. Main pic: PA BRADFORD-based trainer Sue Smith has another horse running in today s racing at Aintree on day two of the Grand National meeting. Mrs Smith, who is based at Craiglands Farm in High Eldwick, is teaming up once again with jockey Ryan Mania in the 4.05pm Randox Topham Handicap Chase. Her ten year old racer Ravenhill Road will be in the running in what looks set to be a wide open race, and is in good form after winning on its last outing at Doncaster last month. The horse is listed at odds of 22/1 with the Racing Post, but with 27 runners and the favourites at 7/1, it could be anyone s race and Ravenhill Road has a strong chance of placing.
Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th April
ITV racing will be on ITV daily on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th April from 2pm-5pm.
On Saturday 4th April, it will be on ITV from 2pm-6.15pm.
The Opening Show is on daily on ITV4 from 9.30-10.30am. On Saturday the show is an extended 90 mins from 9.30-11am.
“The Randox Grand National is Liverpool’s race and they always put on an amazing show. With limited crowds this year, we hope to do this on ITV for the hundreds of million watching round the globe. It’s the one day the eyes of the sporting world are on horse racing.” Ed Chamberlin