Only Spoofing records repeat win in Navan sprint

Only Spoofing returned to form when landing the Bellinter Handicap for the second successive year at Navan.

The Approve gelding won eight times for Jedd O’Keeffe before joining Kevin Coleman in the autumn of 2020 and was well-supported here.

Backed at all rates down from 20/1 overnight, the eight-year-old finished with a tremendous rattle under Mikey Sheehy to get up close home. Arnhem also came home powerfully on the outer to get within a neck, with the always prominent pair of Ajax Tavern and Blind Beggar caught in the closing stages to finish third and fourth respectively.

Coleman said, "We were hopeful with the track and the step back to five (furlongs).

"It's hard to place a horse like him, there is not many races. It was a bit of a quick turnaround from last week but we've done it before and he's old now so he knows the gameplan.

"We'll do the same again, go back to Epsom and then go to the Curragh. He ran in England five times last year and is not a great traveller. It took it out of him and he possibly won't go to the UK as much. It is too much of an ask.

"He takes his racing well, I think there is a race for him in the meantime in the Curragh.

"If it is not five, I don't think there is much point. None of his wins are past the five.

"To be honest he's not the quickest horse, he would be always on his head. It looked like he had a bit much to do but he got there in the end.

"Everyone that rides him says he needs to step up but he has never won beyond five!"

(MG & AM)