THE second day of Bellewstown’s October Festival was particularly lucrative for Joseph O’Brien who enjoyed a four-timer, with three of the winners ridden by jockeys’ title race leader Dylan Browne McMonagle.
O’Brien and Browne McMonagle got the ball rolling in the opening KC Shipping Nursery Handicap with 2/1 joint-favourite Synners Kid.
The Ten Sovereigns colt dwelt from the stalls and raced in rear before beginning his move two furlongs from home. He charged through to lead approaching the final furlong and drew clear in the closing stages for a five-length success.
Browne McMonagle, sporting Ana O’Brien’s colours, said: “He did it well - we went very quick, though, it was very much a bit of a pace collapse on the front end, I think. “Once we got to the furlong pole, they were treading water, whereas I was just joining in.”
Comfortable
Shavasi was notably strong in the market for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap and justified 6/5 favouritism in comfortable fashion.
She came through a gap to dispute the lead a furlong and a half from home and soon took over.
The daughter of Muhaarar asserted for Browne McMonagle in the final furlong and readily claimed the spoils by two and a half lengths for Marco and Natalie Steinmann.
The jockey said: “She had a bad draw in Leopardstown the last day and I had to use her early to get a spot. I didn’t really finish, but today I had a good draw and was able to just get comfortable in the box seat and she quickened up well.”
Making all
Snapretend made all under Browne McMonagle in the Kilsaran Race over an extended mile-and-a-half to score by five lengths.
The 7/4 second favourite began to crank the pressure up on her rivals racing into the final three furlongs and moved clear inside the final furlong. She was far from troubled in sailing in for owner J.P. Farrell.
Snapretend’s stablemate Angelo Pio was ruled out due to the change in going, which saw McMonagle switch to ride Snapretend.
He said: “Handles the ground well and gets that trip, so 100 per cent (has a future). If she keeps on improving, hopefully she might sneak a little bit of blacktype down the line, so that would be the aim.”
Plenty of pace
Julian Pietropaolo drove O’Brien’s Tswalu (15/8 favourite) home by a head in the Bellewstown Inn Fillies Maiden over the extended seven furlongs.
She looked to have a lot on her plate in third over a furlong out, but stayed on in second in the closing stages and kept on best to lead close home for owner Mrs David Nagle.
Pietropaolo said: “There was plenty of pace on. The plan was to make it, but I didn’t have enough horse under me so I just sat her in. To be fair, she galloped to the line.”
The jockey was handed a four-day ban for frequency with the whip.
IT was a productive festival for Megan Telford-Kelly as she followed up on a winner the previous day by steering home Edergole’s Angel (3/1 joint-favourite) in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Handicap.
The pair were strongly pressed in the final furlong by Givehertilxmas and Colin Keane, but found more over the road to hit the line with half a length in hand over the runner-up.
Trainer Willie McCreery said: “I was very disappointed with this one the last day in Gowran, I thought she travelled beautifully into the race with Billy (Lee).
“I thought she didn’t go through with it so we asked the owner, Pat Keegan (Chapelrock Ventures Ltd), would it be possible to put Megan on him because at home she really goes for her.”
Art Of Unity repeated last year’s success in the Andy Carroll Memorial Handicap on his first start since switching to owner/trainer Aidan Melia.
The 14/1 shot tracked the leaders for Nicola Burns and the duo worked their way to the front racing to the final furlong. They were strongly pressed by Steel Magnolia and Billy Lee in the final 100 yards but saw them off by a head.
Burns said: “He did dig deep and he stuck it right out to the line, so he’s a good, honest horse.”
IDOMYTHING (20/1) showed her fortitude in landing Division I of the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap on her second outing for Tom Cleary. Rory Cleary held her up towards the rear and the pair improved to sixth as the race unfolded with more than a furlong to race.
The three-year-old filly stayed on into third a furlong down and she was resolute in taking over inside the final 100 yards. She then passed the post with a length and a quarter in hand.
The trainer said: “We only got her after she ran over hurdles in Ballinrobe. We didn’t have a whole lot to do with her, Rory is in Cormac’s (Farrell, former trainer) and he had a lot done with her.
“Won in my wife’s (Kathleen) colours, unfortunately she couldn’t be here today as she had to work - somebody has to bring in a few bob!”
Stayer
Spanish John put in a stout staying performance to strike in Division II of the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap for Pat Fahy and Billy Lee.
The seven-year-old gelding travelled into contention and Lee sent him on inside the final quarter of a mile.
The 9/2 chance moved clear with a furlong to go and kept on well to seal the first prize by three and three-quarter lengths for the Ballinaboley Plant Hire Syndicate.
Fahy said: “He was at his ease all through the race and enjoyed it, plenty of room you see, and the ground was a big help to him. A mile and a half on soft suits.”
This fixture marked the retirement of Bellewstown General Manager Kevin Coleman after more than 27 years’ service at the Co Meath venue.