Banellie jumps the last under Derek Fox© Photo Healy Racing
After nearly a year since he won on his last start in a handicap hurdle over the course, Banellie repeated the dose this afternoon as he took the Rosebank Handicap Hurdle for his trainer Noel Kelly with Derek Fox in the saddle.
The 8yo son of Beneficial (second winner for that sire after Celtic Cailin in the opener) disputed the lead early on before making the rest of the running as he hit the front at the fourth hurdle.
He was ridden and joined briefly before the second last but he stayed on well under pressure away from the last to score by nine lengths at the line at the odds of 4/1 (opened at 10/1 this morning with Paddy Powers). I Hear A Symphony finished second at 12/1 while Grand Opera was a further fifteen lengths back in third at 4/1. Turner Brown was sent off the 10/3 favourite for the double seeking pair of Michael O'Hare and Robbie Colgan but he could only manage a disappointing ninth.
Winning trainer Noel Kelly, who trains in Co Derry, said afterwards: "He is a lucky wee horse. We had a few pounds on him this morning at bigger prices than he was returned.
"We would have really fancied him if the ground was quick. 2m 2f really suited him and he handled the track too."
Wall Street Wall, Nodelay and Black Rock Lake were all taken out of the race due to the change in ground conditions.
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
