Gowran Park 18 2 23 Grandero Bello © Photo Healy Racing
The Marlin Hotel Dublin, Supporting The National Breast Cancer Research Institute Handicap Chase was the most valuable event on the card at Galway and Grandero Bello (22/1) produced a fine performance to win under top weight.
Ricky Doyle 's mount has been seen only once since last year's Punchestown festival but showed no signs of ring-rustiness as he jumped well and improved to lead at the last.
Brought to the stands' side rail once straightening up, the son of Great Pretender stayed on well to beat Tyre Kicker by three-parts-of-a-length.
The eight-year-old is trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty and the former commented: "His jumping was key and he jumped his way into it. As my father said, once you have a horse who jumps well and is gaining ground unbeknownst to yourself, it is up to the jockey then not to give it back.
"He was in the Galway Plate but that was always tentative and while he was in at the Kerry and Munster Nationals, the ground came up too quick both times.
"He has run well here before. I hate to say it was unexpected but I'd have been happy with him finishing in the first four as he had been off since March and was in against battle-hardened horses who have been on the go a while.
"He is in the Coral Gold Cup (at Newbury) believe it or not, as Robert Caddick and Josie Reed, who is a sister of Nicky Henderson, own him and they would love to bring him to England. That's the first one for him and then there's the Troytown and Paddy Power (at Leopardstown during Christmas)."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
