'He’s a seriously tough horse' - 13th time lucky for Desert Halo earns Richard Bandey back-to-back wins

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Some wins for some horses mean just that little bit more than others, and the sense of relief and joy in Richard Bandey’s voice after Desert Halo had won on Monday was palpable.

Desert Halo’s victory in the 2m novice handicap hurdle at Plumpton was the second leg of an 11.5-1 double for the trainer after Rap Soul had scored in the previous contest, a 2m4f novice handicap chase.

While Rap Soul was winning for the second time over fences in as many runs, Desert Halo was claiming his first win at the 13th attempt. But to view the seven-year-old’s career through his race record alone would be to do him a disservice, according to Bandey.

“He’s been a bit frustrating in some respects as he’s had a few niggles and isn’t the easiest to train, but he’s a seriously tough horse,” he said. “I love him to bits because he has such a will and determination to work and to try. He’ll work with anything at home and it’s brilliant for him and for his owner, Joanna [Jenson], who’s been so patient and understanding with him, to get the win today.”

Desert Halo's ability as a work partner meant he was selected to gallop with Klycot, Bandey’s sole Cheltenham Festival runner, who lines up in the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on Tuesday.

“They worked together on Saturday and went nicely,” Bandey said. “Hopefully we can keep the ball rolling and if he was able to finish in the first half a dozen I’d be delighted, as he’s in great form at home.”

Rap Soul, owned by The Soul Searchers, is declared to run at Huntingdon on Wednesday, but Bandey said he was unlikely to be turned out again.

He added: “Fences have really been the making of him. Lots of credit has to go to my assistant, Sam [Burgess], who has done lots of work with him at home to get him to pick his feet up.”

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