Hard battle brings up double Hard Bought landed a touch, and a double for John Joe Walsh and Ambrose McCurtin, when just getting home in the amateur’s handicap hurdle at Clonmel. The gelding had been backed at 20/1 this morning and was sent off a 9/1 shot on course. McCurtin produced him to lead at the second last but he was untidy at the flight. Famous Ballerina soon challenged and the pair were locked together over the last hurdle. It was a ding-dong battle on the run-in and Hard Bought just prevailed by a short-head at the line. “He’s a good tough horse and he stayed on well. He got a great ride from Ambrose who is on fire today!” said Walsh. “We’ll look for another amateur race somewhere now and when he can’t win a hurdle he’ll go chasing. “He’s already won a point-to-point and is more of a chaser than a hurdler.” The pair had also struck in the opening mares maiden hurdle with Love On Top. Charging Indian was sent off the 5/1 favourite but could finish only seventh. (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
