Bella Bliss and Alex Harvey © Photo Healy Racing
The well supported Bella Bliss (3/1, from 10s this morning) made a winning debut over fences in the Corrib Oil Beginners Chase.
Settled behind the leaders by Alex Harvey, the daughter of Getaway moved up to challenge at the third-last and was soon in front before staying on well to see off Junior Rattler by four lengths.
The six-year-old, a three-time winner over hurdles, had been unplaced in three outings since landing a conditions hurdle at Down Royal on the opening day of the 2023/24 jumps season in May.
The winner is trained by John McConnell for Claire Wylie and Mark Devlin.
"For a mare first time in a beginners', she was like a handicapper there, she jumped and travelled," said Harvey.
"Once she hit the front she pricked her ears. I probably got there a bit too soon but she had loads left and whatever came to me, she was going to hold on.
"I'd schooled her last week and she'd schooled brilliantly. John thought she'd take a lot of beating today, he said to just put a line through her last two runs. We thought she'd be a better horse over a fence and she's shown that there. She's a nice mare going forward."
