It’s day two of Bellewstown Racecourse’s August two-day meeting, and today’s seven race card is under the National Hunt code and features the Mullacurry Cup handicap hurdle. Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Bellewstown card, courtesy of Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers.
Our first race is a two and half mile claiming hurdle (4.53). Gavin Cromwell’s Ahead Of The Posse looks to have a fair chance here, having won his second last start over this trip and finishing a creditable sixth of 20 last time at Galway. Given seven pounds by his rider, he looks very competitive, but will still have to put in a good performance to keep Dollar Value behind him. The Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden gelding wasn’t beaten too far by Ahead of The Posse at Roscommon in July and has slipped to a tempting mark today.
Touted Plan with winning connections Gurtinard Stables Syndicate ridden by Colin Keane returned 100/30 Joint Fav.
Race two is a maiden hurdle over the same trip (5.25). Shark Hanlon’s Jury Belle, a smart point-to-point winner who has since placed in a bumper, is tried over hurdles for the first time today. Her decisive point-to-point win and the step up in trip from bumpers looks promising, but maidens are not the yard’s best category, so she may be more likely for a place than a win. Declan Queally is having a solid season so far and his horse, Twentyfourcarrot, might appreciate the firmer going today and get further to the front than a respectable fourth of 10 last time out.
A handicap hurdle follows, again over the same trip (5.55). Sydney Cruiser and Laurie Blue both seek to make it back-to-back wins here, both looking to have a good chance of repeating their form. A slight step up in trip should prove to be a positive for Miss Gitana, who was last seen finishing midfield at Sligo over two furlongs fewer, and might get closer to the front with the added distance. If first-time blinkers have the desired effect on Knockraha Eagle, though, he could be difficult to beat at the weights.
Race four is the feature Mullacurry Cup, a handicap hurdle over two and a half miles (6.25). Leave In Secret and Mercury Mission are the ones attempting consecutive victories here, with the latter probably the most likely to do so, though they both look to be in with big chances. John McConnell’s Montecam should be worth some attention too, having run well at this track in July over three miles, but this step back down in trip might be optimal. Down to a new low mark, he might be the one.
Wesley Joyce and Michael Mulvany continue winning ways with Diamine (11/2 Fav) and owner Sean F Finnegan at Bellewstown yesterday.
Next is a mares’ hurdle over two miles and a furlong (6.55). Stepping down in trip is Cooke’s Lass, who has shown lots of ability over greater trips, but fell when last seen at Killarney. The shorter trip is a question mark for her, but she’ll be one to keep an eye on. Eastern Wind, fit from a Flat campaign, won her last start over hurdles in maiden company and should have a real chance of repeating that form here today, with Alex Havey’s three pounds to boot.
The penultimate race is a handicap hurdle over two miles and a furlong (7.25). Barry Connell’s horses are holding their form extremely well, and his Farrokh is a consistent sort anyway, so should be in contention here. Dontgowithjoe was raised six pounds in the handicap for a win last time out, but is given this weight back by a claiming rider, so he could win again. Kaikoura cannot be ignored, though, on the same mark as when placing third on his last pair of starts.
Finally, the evening’s racing rounds off with a bumper (7.55). There are a few unknown quantities here, with numerous debutants making a start to their careers. With John McConnell’s yard seeing so much success at present, it might pay to side with promising-looking point-to-point graduate Is She Real, who was runner-up on point debut in May and is given seven pounds by her rider today for this top yard.
Bellewstown selections – Wednesday:
4.53 – Ahead Of The Posse
5.25 – Twentyfourcarrot
5.55 – Knockraha Eagle
6.25 – Montecam
6.55 – Eastern Wind
7.25 – Kaikoura
7.55 – Is She Real
