It’s day two of Bellewstown Racecourse’s October meeting and today’s card hosts eight races; six handicaps, one maiden and the Kilsaran Race. Read on for a full preview of the Bellewstown card, courtesy of Sporting Life.
Up first is a nursery handicap run over a mile (1.35). There isn’t a great proportion of good form on offer here, with just one previous winner in the field of 13 and just two who have picked up places. Johnny Murtagh’s War Saint is one of the two with placings to his name and, equipped with cheekpieces for the first time, he could be a big player. A quarter a length ahead of him last time out, though, was the filly Ella’s Gold, whose claims look strong once again.
Race two is a mile fillies’ maiden (2.05). Thru And Thru and Ready To Mingle are the least exposed here, having only run once before, while the most experienced are Joyful Princess and Beautiful Affair, the former of which ought to be the best having placed on four occasions this term. Aidan O’Brien’s Tea Rose could improve on a good fourth of 14 over a mile at Navan last time, with Jack Cleary’s five pounds in hand, while Tina’s Charm might need watching out for if the ground gets any softer.
The third race is a three-year-olds’ mile handicap (2.35). In first-time cheekpieces, Marzanda might be of some interest under Robert McWhearty, but stablemate Wasittheway may be a better option, after a good performance last time out at Gowran Park for fourth of 13 on heavy ground. At the bottom of the weights, Petite Madame is given a chance by both the handicapper, who has moved her down four pounds, and the fact that she is ridden by a seven-pound claimer in Neve Bennett.
Another mile handicap for fillies follows (3.10). Both Vega’s Muse and Storm Averted won their last starts and, given 10 pounds by her rider today, the latter looks the most likely to oblige again. Topweight Empress Artemis has won at the top of the handicap before and, with Colin Keane in the saddle, looks a likely candidate for the win again today.
Race five is a handicap over five furlongs (3.45). Colin Keane rides another with a chance here, in the shape of Lismacbryan, who was second of 21 two starts ago at Naas and, two pounds below that mark now, could run a big race today. 11-year-old veteran Only Spoofing is showing few signs of slowing down and was a close second of 18 last time out at Fairyhouse over a furlong further, so could be involved at the finish here.
The extended mile and a half Kilsaran Race is next (4.15). There are only five runners here, of which Ger Lyons’ Himalayan Heights is the only four year old against four three-year-olds and, therefore, carries the appropriate weight. Dermot Weld’s Kalixa ran a good race on soft ground behind subsequent Irish Oaks winner Minnie Hauk in a maiden at Leopardstown last year and, now given soft ground again, she could come into her own here and win nicely under Chris Hayes.
Division one of a handicap over the same trip follows (4.45). Maxwell Smart won his last start but doesn’t look overly likely to reproduce that form here. Gavin Cromwell’s Arcland might be a better option, having been last seen winning over hurdles and, if translating that level of form back to the Flat, could be the main danger, although Cian Collins’ Sopelana has similar credentials as of last time out at Ballinrobe and might suit the ground conditions better.
Finally, division two of the same race concludes the afternoon’s racing (5.20). In first-time cheekpieces, Peter Lawlor’s Numidia could be competitive, now down to a workable-looking mark, and he has ability on softer ground, which is going to be important at this stage of the day. Deluca Chop might be worth considering on the same grounds.
Bellewstown selections – Thursday:
1.35 – Ella’s Gold
2.05 – Joyful Princess
2.35 – Wasittheway
3.10 – Storm Averted
3.45 – Lismacbryan
4.15 – Kalixa
4.45 – Sopelana
5.20 – Numidia
