Sexton's Belfast Banter bargain reaps rich dividend with first Grade 1 success

In the moments leading up to the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle, Kevin Sexton struck a bargain with Belfast Banter. The horse fulfilled his side of the deal by winning – and the manner in which he won suggests many more victories may now follow.

Sexton had explained to the County Hurdle hero that should he give the jockey and trainer Peter Fahey a first Grade 1 success, he would be at liberty to return to his former frustrating ways.

That seemed like a fair arrangement but Belfast Banter now appears to enjoy beating other horses, which is handy given he possesses talent to match his new enthusiasm.

Click here to watch Belfast Banter win at Aintree

Having captured the County Hurdle off a rating of just 129, a horse who finished sixth of seven at Musselburgh only two months ago was far from one of the most obvious contenders for his latest British foray, yet he travelled like a dream and found plenty to defeat Do Your Job with the highly regarded Dusart third.

"I told the horse going down to the start that if he could pull this one off I would forgive him if he never won again," said Sexton. "I suppose now he has done it, I can't give out to him if he really doesn't win another race.

"Something has clicked with him in the last month. He has found a will to win. What he did at Cheltenham he had never done before. He put his head down, galloped to the line and wanted to win. I also believe he has got such a lot of confidence from that day.

"We've had cameras in the yard and I think he has seen himself going from a horse who was back in the shadows to one who is in the limelight. He definitely deserves the attention and now loves it as well.

There is three in line at the last but it is Belfast Banter (near) who comes out on topCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

"The problem today was I got there too soon and I was full sure he was going to get swallowed up. He did come back underneath me a little bit but I put my stick down, changed my hands and he put his head out. I knew from that moment on that nothing was going to get by me."

Sexton added: "Peter's wife, Ber, normally rides him out every day but she had a fall last week and hurt herself, so I've been riding him out for the last week. She's grand but I'm sure this win will help her heal."

Dusart has had to do some healing of his own, but on his first start in 155 days he ran a fine race.

"He escaped and got a stake stuck through the middle of his chest," said Nicky Henderson, explaining that absence. "You could have put your whole arm into the hole. He is very lucky to be here and I certainly didn't think he would be running again this season.

"He wants two and a half miles but this was only his second run over hurdles. He'll be going over fences next season."

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