Yesterday was a day to avoid the favourites or not too. Gavin Cromwell pulled off a fine treble on the jumps card. He won the first, second and seventh race to produce a tantalising 276/1 return on Routine Excellence 11/2, Millforce 15/2 and Due Course 4/1 all ridden by stable jockey Keith Donoghue. Needless to say a few punters still asking themselves why they hadn’t followed the Skyrne based trainer who is right up there with the top trainers in Ireland. That’s why he is a favourite
trainer to follow, you know you’ll get a run for your few ‘pound’. The day though was a day day to avoid the hot pots with only one genuine favourite in the sixth race as another favourite trainer Henry De Bromhead top weight Chutzpal cruised to victory when Rachel Blackmore asked the bay five year old to quicken as she turned for home, winning by 12 lengths in a canter. Another one of the punters favourite’s jockeys and the only favourite to win on the card.
The best was left to the last when a good old punt from morning prices at 20/1 to opening at 5/1 saw Wexford based trainer C W J Farrell duly obliged on Locked Box.
Above picture; as the sun sets, the and the Bellewstown August Festival comes to a conclusion.
There was a fine duel up the home straight with Diamond Tipp, ridden by Miss O’Connor, appearing to have the better of Ms. Benson in the Ladies Pro/Am. However, the steely ride by Benson who was always prominent had more in the engine to press on and win, another favourite put to the sword, winning by a length
and a half, a good gamble landed for connections and I’m sure the drive home to Wexford was all the sweeter, no strawberries need there, with the sweeet taste of success. Meath trainers Elliott and McLoughlin had respective winners on the card. Leading Lion 11/1 who had two middling runs up in Dundalk finally got off the mark this season for Elliott and Kennedy. Barry Lyndon at 8/1 obliged for the Dermott McLoughlin team getting off the mark too.
The second favourite Royal Hollow 5/2 made all with Willie Mullins, crack the Sky 9/4 some 35 lengths behind the winner.
A mention to George Tully, from Rathdrinagh, now based in Dublin whose syndicate, Dubs & Royals, ran a credible third place on Letters To Juliet. Trained by Dowth based Patrick Downey should get a winner for the lads. He too is looking for a syndicate to join the stable.
John Purfield Remembered
There was a decent crowd at the track and plenty of chat and fun, among the local based crowd. As the summer slips away and the fires will be lit, even if you were burnt on a few hot pots last night. There has been trojan work down by the team up on the historic ‘hill of Crockafotha’. It was also fitting that the programme reflected on the life and times of the late John Purfield (1926-2017) , a man of character whose commitment to the industry and indeed to Bellewstown who helped keep it going with 40 years on committee and 20 as Chairman was recognised. The sixth race was named in honour of him. There was also a ‘friend’ who sponsored the Groom’s Canteen. Many of these grooms are the unsung heroes of the industry. There were over 108 or so horses at the track yesterday, there is only ever eight winners.
