Red Harbour: holds a narrow lead over Babysitter in a thrilling opener  

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Red Harbour scrapes home in three-way photo

Report: Sandown, Saturday
European Breeders’ Fund Paddy Power Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Grade 3) 2m4f, 4-8yo

RED HARBOUR just got the better of Babysitter and Ranjobaie in a thrilling three-way photo-finish to the opening contest on Paddy Power Imperial Cup day.

The Chris Giles-owned six-year-old had to dig extremely deep under Ruby Walsh, who actually thought he had finished second.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Red Harbour travelled strongly on the outside of the field and joined longtime leader Babysitter approaching the second last.

He looked to be getting the better of that rival at the last but the runner-up found plenty for pressure and rallied under Paddy Brennan.

At the same time, David Bass brought Ranjobaie, who had suffered a rough passage, with a late challenge down the outside and the three runners hit the line as one.

The decision went to the judge who handed Red Harbour the verdict.

A relieved Walsh said: “I thought Paddy had got back up anddone us on the line. My lad travelled well but idled when he hit the front."

The winner still holds an entry in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday and would be considered for that race if getting a run.

Red Harbour will have to carry a 5lb penalty for Saturday’s victory, which leaves him on 10st 13lb for the Cheltenham contest, for which Victor Chandler go 10-1 (from 12).

Nicholls said: “He gets to the front and idles, it was the same at Ascot last time. We would like to run at Cheltenham but he may miss out and will go to Aintree if that is the case.”

John Smith's Grand National hope, Tricky Trickster, will carry the same silks as Red Harbour in Friday's Totesport Gold Cup and the lightlyraced seven-year-old pleased in his work on Saturday morning.

Nicholls added: "Tricky Trickster is fine and worked really well with Denman this morning."