ALEX Harvey continued his sparkling run of form, by partnering a quickfire 13/2 double in the opening two races highlighted by the victory of Jackson Lamb in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
This was also the first leg of a respective double for trainer John McConnell. The son of El Salvador made all in this contest. There were very few anxious moments throughout this race for the evens favourite, but he did get away with a novicey leap at the second last which momentarily halted his momentum.
However, John McConnell’s gelding responded well once asked after that mistake to re-establish his advantage. He finished on the bridle, scoring by five and a half lengths for The 119 Partnership.
McConnell said: “He’s a very frustrating sort of a horse - you can see there he has plenty of ability but has his own mind. You’d hope so (reach a higher level) - I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to England for a novice hurdle to teach him a little bit more.”
Great effect
Harvey was also seen to great effect aboard Long Gone in the Download The Tote App Claiming hurdle.
The diminutive filly made headway before the fourth last to dispute the lead but only went into a clear lead before the last when asked by Harvey. The 100/30 shot kept on well close home to score by two and a half lengths for owner John Bates.
“I think these claimers are a great job. Irish racing is very competitive, and you are showing the handicapper that you are under a bit of pressure,” said Declan Queally jnr.
“She probably deserves to be 110, but it is hard for her to go out and carry top-weight in a 110 handicap.”
Queally added: “For her, if she is claimed for eight grand, fair play and she would be a grand mare for the north of England. She has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle and now this, but she is what she is.
“John (Bates, owner) and his son are great supporters of ours. They are only small owners, but they love the game.”
The Getaway filly was subsequently claimed by James J O’Neill to be trained by Noel Kelly.
THERE was a second winner for trainer Eamonn Delaney over the two days of the Bellewstown August fixture as Birmingham Alabama stayed on strongly to land the Wednesday feature, the Bective Stud Tea Rooms & Apartments Cup Handicap Hurdle.
The Diane Flanagan-owned mare was switched right by Jordan Gainford after the second last to produce her challenge.
The 9/2 well-backed favourite kept on well in the straight to score by two and three quarter lengths from Montecam.
Assistant trainer Alan Delany said: “We were delighted with the run in Galway. On a sharp track here over two and a half, she’s done it well.
“We said we would ride her a bit handier today. Jordan gave her a cracking ride. We will probably go over fences with her now fairly soon.”
John McConnell recorded his second winner of the day in the Tote.ie (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Is She Real was produced by Lelia Byrne, for whom this was her first winner, two furlongs out and readily stretched clear to win by 10 lengths for Derek Kierans.
John McConnell said: “It does (put the seal on two good days in Bellewstown). Colin Motherway is a great person to buy off because there is something left in the horses.
“He was very sweet on this filly. She’s progressing all the time. She worked with some of the winners recently and worked really well.
“The filly is exciting; I’m delighted with that. She’s only four, I might put her away and maybe go for the listed fillies’ bumper at Cheltenham in November.
“Lelia has been in the yard a good while and to get a winner at her home track is a big thing for her.
“It was a good ride because it was tricky whether to follow the two or sit.”
PROMINENT tactics proved beneficial for Adela Icon, as she made all to win easily in the small-field Panda Mares Hurdles under Brian Hayes. The 11/8 favourite pinged the second last and kicked for home at that point, leaving her rivals in her wake to score by 13 lengths for Temple Bloodstock.
“We changed tactics today. She has always been very keen. We just said on this track and this ground, we would let her bowl away in front. That really suited her,” reported assistant trainer Patrick Mullins. “We will probably go to Listowel for a mares’ race there.”
Dontgowithjoe recorded his second success in 16 days in the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle at odds of 11/1. Owned by the Fairwood Racing Syndicate, the four-year-old came down the stand side when making his challenge, before battling well to get the better of Farrokh by half a length.
Phillip Rothwell said: “He’s (Power Roche) top-class. Simon (Torrens) won on him the last day. We decided to claim the penalty off him (Wednesday).
“His jumping was terrible at the start in maidens. Same thing, good jockeys make good horses. We might give him a break and bring him back for Leopardstown at Christmas for a novice handicap.”
Knockraha Eagle went one better than his latest second behind the prolific Mephisto, when capturing the Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Hurdle.
James Smith produced the strong-travelling, 4/1 joint-favourite after the second last to lead. He was idling in front when ridden out after the last to score by two and a quarter lengths for owner James O’Donoghue.
Trainer Ian Donoghue said: “We were probably unlucky to bump into him (Mephisto in Wexford). He’s an honest horse, but very lazy. I probably should’ve put it (blinkers) on before now. Obviously, he wouldn’t need them up in trip.”