Belfast Banter sprung a 33/1 surprise to lead home a one-two for Irish Pointers in the ultra competitive McCoy Contractors County Hurdle.
Second in an Oldcastle four-year-old maiden when under the care of Patrick Turley, the Jeremy gelding had warmed up for the Festival by finishing second in Grade 2 company at Naas and was well delivered by Kevin Sexton to beat the evergreen Festival veteran Petit Mouchoir by a length and a quarter.
Speaking after victory in the McCoy Contractors Handicap County Handicap Hurdle, Sexton revealed he quit race riding and had planned to live in the USA until being talked out of it.
He said: “I am in shock here, to be honest. It still hasn’t sunk in. I couldn’t believe it when I pulled up. I finished second here a couple of years ago, beaten by one of my best friends in a photo-finish, and I never thought I’d get a chance like that again.
“Coming here yesterday and riding a favourite (Royal Kahala in the Parnell Properties Mares Novices’ Hurdle), I had very high hopes of her and she ran disappointingly, and I never thought it was going to happen for me. To come out and ride a winner less than 24 hours later is unbelievable.
“I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this horse. He tends to finish second a lot, and he’s obviously been minding his mark for today! He had a light weight and we gave him a big chance first time in a handicap with a light weight, and I thought if he finished in the middle of them or in the first five I’d be delighted, and that’s kind of the way Peter [Fahey] told me to ride him.
“But he did everything I asked of him and I got a nice run through for a County Hurdle -I’ve never ridden in one before, but from what I’ve heard they are very messy - and he just jumped and travelled, and kind of took me everywhere.
“I was planning on switching out coming down the hill to get a clear run, but I didn’t really get the chance - he was going so well that there wasn’t enough room to switch out, so I just tried to come down the middle of them. I was lucky enough that I never got stopped coming down the hill, and he stuck to it really well.
“I actually couldn’t believe it. I got quite emotional pulling up. I actually stopped riding two years ago because it just wasn’t happening for me, I had a couple of injuries and I got kind of into a low place, and if it wasn’t for my family, my girlfriend, friends and Peter, I wouldn’t be back riding. In my head I had given up. To be here riding a winner is unbelievable.
“I was persuaded to give it one last go, and I haven’t looked back since. Although I had given up, no one had given up on me, luckily enough. I actually had it in my head to go to America, just to get away from everything.
“Peter got me back and I was associated with Peregrine Run, on whom I won eight or nine races that year, and he put me back in love with racing. He was my first ride back, in a Grade Three, and he won and it got me rolling again without me even noticing."
We are lucky to be taking part thanks to Jennifer (Pugh) and all her team, we are lucky to be here today and they don’t get enough praise for the way they are looking after all of us.”
Trainer Peter Fahey, speaking from his base in County Kildare, said: “It was a race that we have had in the back of our mind for some time with him and we have been trying our best to get high enough in the weights all season.
“He is a strong traveller but he often doesn’t finish that well but today he pulled it out of the bag and it surprised me how he finished up the hill.
“When you look at his form he was a stone better off with some of them he had finished behind before. In fairness I was chatting to Ruby Walsh early on in the year and he said if he gets in to the County Hurdle it would be the ideal race for him as they often fall away.
“He ran well at Ascot behind Not So Sleepy and Ruby said it was a good run as it is hard to make up ground there.
“I’m delighted for his owner Fergal O’Neill and for everyone at the yard as we are a small enough team so to have a winner at Cheltenham is fantastic.
“Kevin is a huge part of our team as well and works hard every morning with us. My wife Ber rides him out every day and does a lot of the work with him.
“We were at the track yesterday and she wanted us to stay. We didn’t think he would get in the race and we had a flight booked as I had a few bits and bobs with the horses to do so we stuck with our original plan to go home.
“Getting a Cheltenham Festival winner is something I’ve been chasing for a long time so I’m delighted but really I’m thrilled for everyone in the yard.
“We might try and find something at Punchestown for him. He is big enough to jump a fence as well so we are really looking forward to him.”
Former Kirkistown point winner Petit Mouchoir and Lisa O’Neill, representing Denise Foster, said: “Petit Mouchoir has run a cracker with a heavy weight on his back and Jordan Gainford claiming 7lbs off him.
“I suppose we can’t forget he was fifth in a Champion Hurdle last year behind Epatante and third in an Arkle round here as well. He performed really well today and it’s good to see him come up the hill well. He’s been a fine servant for us and hopefully there’s plenty more left in him.”
Jordan Gainford, who was aboard Petit Mouchoir, added: “An unbelievable run. His form round here is brilliant – a third and a fifth in the Champion Hurdle, a third in an Arkle – and he’s a lovely horse.
“I’m lucky enough to have been given the ride and take the 7 lb off him and I’m just delighted, he ran a cracker.
“He had plenty coming down the hill and battled tough all the way to the line. I’m getting some great opportunities and I’d just like to thank everyone, it’s been unbelievable.”
