Belle makes it three for Walsh & McManus Risk Belle completed an excellent afternoon for JP McManus and Mark Walsh at Fairyhouse, as she comfortably accounted for her five rivals in the WillowWarm Hurdle. Earlier on the mark with Corbetts Cross and Waterford Whispers, McManus and Walsh teamed-up with Willie Mullins for this Grade 3 success. Successful in the Grade A Rybo Handicap Hurdle over the course and distance in April, the No Risk At All bay was last seen finishing sixth of 18 in another handicap at the Punchestown Festival. Back against her own age group this afternoon, the French bred victor came in for plenty of market support and was sent off a 7/4 chance from early shows of 3/1. After racing mainly in third, she was hampered by the fall of stable companion Gust Of Wind three out and soon improved into a share of the lead. In front from the next, she quickly asserted and despite a sloppy jump at the last, she went on to record a comfortable three-and-a-half length success. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Nusret, who went off an easy-to-back 12/1 chance, filled the runner-up spot under JJ Slevin, while Hypotenus (14/1) was another nine lengths away in third. The aforementioned Gust Of Wind was returned the 11/10 favourite and was still in front when falling a few strides after the third last. "I was very pleased with that performance and think she has improved nicely from last season," Mullins commented. "She jumped well and Mark was very happy that she was going well all the way. "Her handicap experience would have been a benefit to her and she likes this track too." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
