Bal Kauto wins easily on return to chasing The Declan Queally trained Bal Kauto exploited a lenient mark over fences when readily winning the MJS Building & Development Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan. A winner of his last two starts over hurdles, the eight-year-old reverted to fences off 8lb lower here. Successful on both previous runs over the larger obstacles, the gelding was sent off 11/10f to maintain that unbeaten record. Dropped out towards rear by Michael Kenneally, Bal Kauto went third after jumping the third last fence. Coming through to challenge leader Sea Aster at the penultimate fence, he soon led. Asserting on the run to the last, the gelding stayed on strongly to eventually score by four-and-a-quarter lengths. “That was great. I was a small bit worried coming here that I hadn’t prepped him as good as Galway because he’d had a week in the field and only had two bits of work,” said Queally. “We were questioning whether he was 100 percent himself but he got the job done anyway. “He probably hadn’t a whole pile left at the line. He travelled very well and I’d say he’d be better in a better race, going a better gallop. He was kind of keen the whole way. “He’s had a long road with his injuries and the owners deserve it. “I was taking every precaution today putting up Michael. “Michael took the southern point-to-points by storm last spring and I watched him riding a couple of winners. “He’d been begging me to give him a couple of spins and I told him to come in a day a week. He’s done well and I think he’ll fly this year in point-to-points. He’s a good rider.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
