There was a morning price gamble landed in division one of the mile and three quarters apprentice handicap when Sanadja scored under Sam Curling. Dick Donohoe's charge was supported at 14/1 in the shops, but was never bigger than her starting price of 9/2 on the track when coming from off the pace to touch off Coccinelle in the final strides. 'She might run at Galway but must have fast ground,' said Donohoe.
Zamnah, winner of her three previous hurdle outings, successfully switched to the Flat when making all for Rachel Costello in division two. John Bowles' charge held off the persistent challenge of Pease Blossom in the straight by half a length to provide Costello with her fourth winner of the season. 'I left her a bit short this evening with a view to going for the Galway Hurdle, and Rachel said she blew up two furlongs out,' said Bowles.
Owner Phil Kennedy made a wasted trip to Limerick as his Mighty Mist was withdrawn lame, but had plenty of compensation at Bellewstown when half-sister Soft Mist opened her account in the mile handicap.
Seamus Heffernan had the grey close to the pace, leading a furlong out to beat Story Nine by a length and a half. 'We took off the blinkers and tongue tie at Leopardstown last week and she's a new filly,' commented trainer Ger Lyons.
There was a terrific finish to the mile and a half maiden, where the patiently-ridden Brogella was produced late by Timmy Houlihan on the outside to just touch off Danzig Bay by a neck with Rumansy the same distance back in third. 'The tight track didn't suit her but she's a brave stayer and, maybe next year when she strengthens up further, could stay two miles,' said trainer James Burns.
Chain led two out under Kieran Kelly in the three miles maiden hurdle, and drew clear after a fine leap at the final flight to beat Hehasalife by eight lengths. 'I always felt there was a race in him on fast ground and going a distance,' said trainer Dessie Hughes, who will switch the six-year-old to the Flat for a 0-50 two miles handicap at the upcoming Killarney Festival.
Love Ditty benefitted from a powerful ride by Ruby Walsh in the two miles maiden hurdle, leading two out and holding on by a length and a half from Batterjohn.
Barry Geraghty had Symboli Bay up with the pace throughout in the handicap hurdle, and Edward O'Grady's charge went clear after two out to beat Ridgewood Secret by seven lengths.
Alan Magee
