Malt lands Perth prize

Anthony Ross brought Ball O Malt with a well-timed run to win the Renault Vans Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Perth.

The 10-year-old took the lead on the run-in and the 7-1 shot galloped on strongly to beat Bohemian Spirit by two lengths. Duke Of Buckingham was six lengths back in third.

Wrags To Riches and Kid’z’play took the field along but they set the race up with the former being pulled up before the 10th fence and the latter dropping back tamely.

Plenty were in with chances as the runners turned for home as South Bronx led with Celtic Boy, Rookery Lad and Clouding Over close up.

Bohemian Spirit burst through the pack to lead at the second last and looked like landing the spoils until Ball O Malt came on the scene to give Ross his first winner for eight months during time which he had ridden 100 losers.

Ball O Malt had been off the track for nearly six months until returning over hurdles at Southwell to finish second in a two-and-a-half mile handicap two weeks ago.

“He did it well. I’m delighted with him and I’m delighted for the owner,” said Fahey.

“Tony gave him a great ride. You’d have thought he was the champion jockey.

“The horse has always threatened to do something and now he’s done it.

“He’ll go for either the Summer National at Market Rasen or the Galway Plate. We’ll sit down and have a look. That’s the plan.”