Bahlwan and Paddy Harnett© Photo Healy Racing
Paddy Harnett successfully deputised for Joey Sheridan on Bahlwan in the TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap at the Curragh.
A couple of mares gave Bahlwan most to do but the Platinum Thoroughbred Racing Club-owned and Denis Hogan-trained speedster proved too strong for Glow Worm and Ty Rock Brandy He saw them off by a length and a quarter and half a length.
Favourite Teddy Boy finished fourth.
“That's twice this season that Paddy has had spare rides for me and they've won,” said Hogan.
“Boughtinthedark at Navan when Joey forgot to register and today Joey got a blowout (on his car).
“Paddy comes into us one day a week and he's a good kid. He's a real nice fella as well as a good rider and he'll do well.
“He has a jumps licence too, he has plenty of bottle and I'd say nothing fazes him.
“I'm delighted for Bahlwan, I'd say it was too short for my other horse Hell Left Loose (8th) who was dropping back a furlong.
“Bahlwan is an out-and-out five horse. A friend of mine, Darragh Hayes, runs the syndicate and there are four or five or them involved. He's been a good fun horse for them over the years.
“He likes the Curragh and hopefully he might step up enough to creep into the Joe McGrath.
“He always runs his race over five, in fairness to him. I actually thought the handicapper had a fair grip but Paddy's 7lb definitely made a huge difference there.”
There was a nasty incident here pre-race where All About Ivy got away on her handlers leaving the paddock and unseated Mikey Sheehy.
She was withdrawn and thankfully all involved escaped relatively unscathed.
(GC & EM)
