Formal Bid steps up to score for Elliott

Formal Bid who put in an eyecatching display when second at Kilbeggan, was hammered down from 4/1 to 7/4 favourite at Bellewstown and duly scored for Gordon Elliott and Davy Condon in the two mile one Lougher Stables Handicap Hurdle.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for that. He didn’t have his ground. He’ll probably run tomorrow night in Kilbeggan over two miles,” Gordon Elliott said.

The six-year-old gelding travelled well to lead coming to two out and despite making a mistake at the last kept on well in the run-in to land the spoils by four and a quarter lengths. Jabus (12/1) was headed at the second last and had to settle for second. He was eight lengths in front of Ancient Sands at 8/1 and Boleybawn Cat rounded out the placings in fourth in this 16-runner handicap.