Bellaphina (Conor Maxwell) beating Clounmacon© Photo Healy Racing
Bellaphina who provided John Kinsella with his first Flat winner in a Limerick maiden last month, supplied the Rathdrum trainer with his biggest success todate when following up in the €50,000 DNG Spring Fillies Premier Handicap at the Curragh.
The 13/2 chance was again ridden by Conor Maxwell and quickened up nicely at the furlong pole before holding off well-backed 11/4 favourite Clounmacon by a head. Snowcapped who was bidding for a hat-trick this year, was just half-a-length further back in third.
Kinsella said, “She was good the last day on ground she wouldn’t like. She was coming back after a lay-off as she had sore shins last summer as a two-year-old.
“We knew she would come on loads from the last day and were confident that she would put up a good performance.
“She quickened up well and Conor said he was there a little bit too soon but she’s good and tough.
“She has plenty of gears and I’m delighted for a small place like ours to get a winner here on Guineas weekend.
“We have 15 in training and she’s the best older horse. There is a couple of nice two-year-olds.”
