Baron Run gives Karl Burke reason to pause sale

BARON Run took his tally at Hamilton Park to four from seven visits when scrambling home in the Lanarkshire track’s feature race yesterday.

Kieren Fallon always speaks highly of his visits to Hamilton. Picture: John Grossick

Ridden by Joey Haynes and trained by Karl Burke, he held off Layla’s Hero by three quarters of a length in the £15,000 Betfair Scottish Sprint Series final.

Burke’s daughter, Kelly, said: “Lucy, who looks after him, loves him to bits and he is down to go to the sales. We discussed the possibility that he could maybe stay if he won today so we’ll need to see what dad says now.”

Haynes said: “He obviously produces his best here and the ground was right for him too. I just let him roll on down the hill and tried and keep a bit for the climb to the final furlong.”

Kieren Fallon, who is riding in Turkey at the weekend, struck on Legal Waves for Alan Swinbank in the Always Trying Open Maiden Stakes.

The race was sponsored by Mark Johnston who generously donated a £50 cash prize to the grooms of each of the nine runners. Fallon said: “It’s a lovely track to ride and it’s always in good condition. I’ve always enjoyed coming here and the prize money isn’t too bad either.”

Meanwhile, most of the top-rated horses stood their ground at the forfeit stage of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup yesterday with the most notable scratching Heeraat.

The William Haggas-trained, Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned horse had been allocated joint top weight with Jack Dexter from the Jim Goldie yard. But now if the former Ayr Bronze Cup winner goes for the big one he will have to concede weight all round with a 9st 10lb burden to carry. Alben Star, trained by Richard Fahey in North Yorkshire, is on 9st 9lbs. Other interesting entries include Irish raider Sun On The Run from the Jim Bolger yard with 9st 6lbs and last year’s winner Highland Colori (9st 3lbs).

A total of 29 horses with a BHA rating of 100 or higher 
remain in the race, ensuring the usual high-class renewal.

l Davy Condon may be released from hospital today after he was fitted with a brace for his injured back. The jump jockey fractured three vertebrae when he took a heavy fall from Flaxen Flare at the second-last flight in a hurdles contest at the Mallow venue.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital where doctors are monitoring his condition and continuing to investigate his injuries.

“I’ve chatted with Davy and he’s feeling much better today and with a bit of luck he may be discharged tomorrow,” said Dr Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club.