Teehoo refuted any claims of tardiness as Ballyburn just managed to claim his third win in the BAR 1 Betting Hatton Grace Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s Teehoo had previously secured this Grade 1 title in 2022 and 2023. While Teehoo fell short of a hat-trick last season due to Lossiemouth, he got another opportunity this year to join the likes of three-time winners Limestone Lad, Solerina, Apple’s Jade, and Honeysuckle, with Jack Kennedy as jockey.
The favorite for the prize money faced a tough challenge, having to battle with stablemate Casheldale Lad on the final stretch. The race seemed secured when Casheldale Lad stumbled at the last hurdle, but Ballyburn, trained by Willie Mullins and returning to hurdles after an underwhelming novice chasing season, surged powerfully under Paul Townend to create a thrilling finish. Ballyburn held his ground fiercely, but Teehoo managed to win by a narrow nose at the finish line.
Elliott praised Jordan Gainford, who rode Casheldale Rudd, for setting the right pace, and noted the challenge of running Teehoo over 2.5 miles, calling it a gamble. He described Teehoo as a three-mile horse with a slower pace but praised his courageous spirit. Elliott called Teehoo a “horse warrior,” expressing gratitude for having him.
Following the race, Paddy Power shortened Teehoo’s odds to win the upcoming Stayers Hurdle from 100-30 to 5-2, while Ballyburn became the favorite at 7-2 to 2-1. When asked if Teehoo would follow the same post-race schedule as previous seasons, Elliott remained non-committal, suggesting decisions would depend on the horse’s condition and leaving open the possibility of a Christmas run at Leopardstown.
Fan Take: This thrilling finish highlights the intense competition and heart seen in top-level hurdling, a real treat for horse racing enthusiasts. Teehoo’s resilience and Ballyburn’s strong comeback make for an exciting build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, promising memorable performances ahead in the sport.
