Slieve Bearnagh is ridden out by Josh Halford© Photo Healy Racing
Josh Halford broke new ground by registering his first winner over flights aboard Slieve Bearnagh in the Racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by his father Mick in partnership with Tracy Collins, the three-time flat winner was returning to hurdles for the first time since December of 2022.
Not unsupported at 16/1 (touched 40s earlier), the Paul Rooney-owned seven-year-old raced in mid-division early on, taking closer order with just over a circuit to race.
He improved into a share of the lead four out and led narrowly after the next. Pressed and headed before the second last, where he made a slight mistake, he battled back gamely to regain the lead on the run-in, keeping on best to prevail by half-a-length.
Returned the 13/8 favourite, Tingarran Express looked set to deliver when getting to the front approaching the second last but he couldn't sustain his effort and had to settle for the runner-up berth under Brian Hayes for Denise O'Shea.
The front pair were two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of 100/1 outsider Hollow Spark with this one charting a wide path throughout under Kieran Callaghan.
"Dad has been amazing forever! He works so hard and it's for days like this and I don’t take it for granted," the successful rider, who has already won two bumpers, enthused.
"I don’t say it to him enough, but he is brilliant and so is mam. They work so hard and it's going great so I'm delighted.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without mam and dad, they are the most hardworking people I know. I can't thank them enough and Gordon (Elliott) as well, he has been absolutely class.
"Tracy (Collins) is brilliant as well and thankfully the partnership with dad is going well, they deserve it.
"I'll stay amateur for a while, I just want to pick up as much experience as possible. I'll play it by ear, but I love race riding.
"I'm due to ride Battleoverdoyen on Monday at Listowel and he is a really nice horse. I got unseated from him the first day, but he ran an absolute cracker the last day. His connections are brilliant to give me the opportunity to ride him.
"Paul Rooney has been a great supporter of dad for years and he messages me to wish me the best on every ride. He is an absolute gentleman. Mam won in these colours as well, so it’s very special."
