THE former Peter Fahey-trained Cheltenham County Hurdle and Aintree Grade 1 winner Belfast Banter found his best form again at Saratoga on Wednesday when, in the colours of Irvin Naylor, he ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Grade 1 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Hurdle over two miles.

The son of Jeremy, trained by Cyril Murphy and ridden by Barry Foley, cruised through on the bridle at the last to go on to victory by over six lengths.

It was his fourth start at Grade 1 level in the US, a fourth to Hewick in the American Grand National last October his best effort. Bred by Seamus Cooney, the eight-year-old was visiting the winner’s circle for the first time since Aintree 2021 and had been sold for £130,000 via ThoroughBid in November 2021.

Foley and Belfast Banter came three-wide into the straight to unleash their run. The winner showed an impressive turn of foot to cruise past the front runners. Historic Heart (giving the winner 4lb) overtook the tiring front runners for second with the Keri Brion-trained favourite Freddy Flintshire taking third. Salvino running for Paddy Neville and Gavin Sheehan, could only manage eighth of the nine.

“I believed coming here, we would win, but I didn’t think he would do it like that,” said Murphy afterwards.

“Everything went according to plan. They ran a nice gallop and we travelled very, very true to rails. Jumped brilliantly and he made my life easy,” Foley added on his first Grade 1 winner.

Belfast Banter may next run in the two and a half mile Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Handicap on August 16th, or the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory on September 14th at Belmont at Aqueduct.