Bamako makes all in Bellewstown opener The Willie Mullins trained Bamako Moriviere made all to take the opener at Bellewstown, the Bellewstown Golf Course Hurdle. An 11/8 second favourite in early shows, the son of Califet was well-backed throughout the day, and went off the market leader at 9/10. Sent straight to the front by Ruby Walsh, his only ride on the card and his first in Ireland since June 3rd, he went a few lengths clear from three out, and increased his advantage before the next, going on to score easily by seven lengths. Clarcam, who was the 11/10 favourite in early shows before drifting out to a starting price of 11/8, had to settle for second under Bryan Cooper for Gordon Elliott, while Waaheb was forty-four lengths back in third. Ruby Walsh said of the successful Rich Ricci owned five-year-old: "He's improved a good bit. He was obviously disappointing in his early couple of runs. "The ground is a good bit better now. He surprised me a bit in Punchestown by winning over two miles as I thought he wanted further. "He did it well today. He was probably entitled to on ratings and he was maybe the fresher horse. "He likes jumping and should make a nice chaser." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
