Balko D'ange scores easily for Fenton and Hayes Balko D'ange landed a second career win when proving far too strong for his opponents in the Hotel Park St. Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle at Navan. Brian Hayes sat mid division on the Philip Fenton trained gelding for much of the contest, before moving third entering the straight. Travelling strongly on the Patricia Hogan owned 4/1jf after two out, Hayes headed leader Killaney King approaching the final flight, before powering away to win by three-and-a-half lengths from the staying on Ragmans Corner. Philip Fenton said: "His best form is on soft to heavy ground. Mind you, it is no worse than soft today. "I was delighted the way he travelled, and he jumped well. "He did (Hayes produced him well) - he's probably a horse that doesn't find an awful lot. You think he (Hayes) has lots of horse underneath him and he was all out probably at the finish. I think Brian timed it right. "I'd say around Christmas time (next). I had him in at Haydock next Saturday and obviously he won't go. Our preference was here because we were guaranteed slow ground. "The ground was a bit too dry in Down Royal, but he had a good run in Tipperary on ground that was a little bit too dry for him as well. Ground is the key to him." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
