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'They've gifted him the race more or less' - amateur jockey scores on second ride over hurdles after building up 30-length lead

Amateur jockey Shay Halton goes clear at halfway on his mount Be The Difference, and the pair proved not for catching in the opening handicap hurdle at Catterick
Amateur jockey Shay Halton goes clear at halfway on his mount Be The Difference, and the pair proved not for catching in the opening handicap hurdle at CatterickCredit: Racing TV

Be The Difference was back in the winner's enclosure for the first time in three years after receiving a well-judged front-running ride by amateur jockey Shay Halton in the 3m1½f handicap hurdle at Catterick on Tuesday.

The eight-year-old jumped the first few well before taking up the lead at the fifth and was soon sent clear by Halton, who had his mount 30 lengths ahead with three hurdles left.

His lead had been much reduced at the last but, after a glance round, Halton asked his mount for more on the run-in and was a length and a half to the good at the line.


How the race unfolded

Amateur jockey Shay Halton goes clear at halfway on Be The Difference
Amateur jockey Shay Halton goes clear at halfway on Be The DifferenceCredit: Racing TV
Halton and Be The Difference are a hurdle clear with four left to jump
Halton and Be The Difference are a hurdle clear with four left to jumpCredit: Racing TV
Halton and Be The Difference still hold a huge lead turning into the home straight
Halton and Be The Difference still hold a huge lead turning into the home straightCredit: Racing TV
Halton glances behind to see his lead has been much reduced after the last
Halton glances behind to see his lead has been much reduced after the lastCredit: Racing TV
Be The Difference pulls out more from the last under Halton to win by a length and a half
Be The Difference pulls out more from the last under Halton to win by a length and a halfCredit: Racing TV

The in-running comment

Be The Difference

Took keen hold, prominent, led 5th, soon went well clear, 30 lengths ahead 3 out, going easily but reduced lead after 2 out, 5 lengths ahead last, ridden out run-in, always doing enough


Winning trainer Phil Kirby said: "Shay rides him everyday at home, so it was nice to give him a chance on him because he's not the easiest of rides.

"I told him not to be afraid to go on if they weren't going fast enough as he's a bit keen, but it turns out they've gifted him the race more or less. He wasn't going that fast."

Halton, 19, won a Chelmsford handicap on Billian on the Flat for Kirby in May 2023 and was winning for the first time over jumps on just his second ride.

Kirby added: "He was getting going again after the last and probably in hindsight, he could've given him a squeeze a bit sooner and maybe won a bit easier, but this is only Shay's second ever ride over hurdles, so he's entitled for a few things to improve on.

"He's been with us for a couple of years now, since he left school, and works hard in the yard. He's had two rides this year in point-to-points and won them both and now he's got his first over hurdles, so it's great for him."

An inquiry was held into the running and riding of the horses who made ground on the winner. The three riders were unanimous that the gallop being set by Be The Difference was unsustainable over the 3m1½f trip and were of the opinion that the winner was going to weaken quickly in the home straight. Their explanations were noted and no further action was taken.

Patrick Mullins, having his first ride at Catterick, finished fifth on the Ryan Potter-trained Ithaka.

Eagle soars

Wise Eagle, rated 102 on the Flat, followed up his 23-length win at Musselburgh last month when strolling clear for a second hurdles success in the 2m3½f novice for Adam Nicol.


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