Second market choice Russian Soul threatened to pull it out of the fire, but in Bubbly Bellini he had too doughty an opponent in the four runner Racing Again June 14th Race at Cork.

A great campaigner for Ado McGuinness with a good record already at Cork, including when finishing third in this event twelve months back, the eight-year-old, who obviously stays further than the five here, made all under Declan McDonogh.

Shane Foley never looked very happy aboard Russian Soul, but he moved 'heaven and earth' to get him there with a chance. Bubbly Bellini stuck on too well throughout the last furlong though, to prove half a length superior at the line.

Who said small fields can't provide an exciting spectacle, and there was just half a length and a length and a half to the other two participants, My Good Brother and Balmount Mast.

"He has been unbelievable this year and I don't know what's happened him but we changed a few things and he seems to be enjoying life," reflected McGuinness.

"He ran a cracker last Sunday under top weight and is again on Sunday but won't run if it gets too dry. He'll probably have to step up to Stakes races now but hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him as some of the others he beat seem to have lost their form.

"He has been a super horse and I've been very lucky with him; when I got him first he got beaten off 47 at Lingfield! He has been wonderful and puts his head down and battles all the time. Even today's five furlong trip was too short but he still battled away."

(TW & EM)