Bay Hill (left) and Benny In Milan battle out a tight finish© Photo Healy Racing
Bay Hill continued a remarkably consistent run of form in recent months when just coming out on top in the Two-Mile Borris Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.
The Padraig Roche-trained gelding hasn’t been out of the first two in his last five outings under both codes, and was adding to a victory in a similar event at the Listowel Festival.
The well-backed 6/4 favourite led approaching the final flight but looked booked for the runner-up spot when headed by Benny In Milan on the run-in.
However Liam Gilligan’s mount rallied gamely on the inner and just got his head down where it mattered.
A stewards enquiry was called into a couple of incidents both before and after the last but the places remained unaltered. Denis Hogan, rider of Benny In MIlan, was given a one day ban for careless riding.
Roche said, "He is a great old horse and that's his eighth win. He is a great horse to have and Liam's 7lbs claim made all the difference. He's riding well.
"That's his level and while he is a summer horse, we'll keep going while the ground is still good."
(TW & AM)
