Tom Cooper saddled his first double when both Beaufort Belle and Gallileo Strike recorded shock victories on the opening day of the Tramore Festival yesterday.
Beaufort Belle was sent off the 16/1 outsider in the Kiely Gaule Financial Services Handicap Hurdle, and the five-year-old mare led three out for Kieran Gaule to beat Binneas by three and a half lengths. 'I thought she would have been thereabouts at Killarney last time, but she lost her action three out. She needs good ground', said Cooper, who has nine in training at his Tralee stables.
Gallileo Strike also appreciated better ground to take the Noel Cummins SP Bookmaker Handicap in the hands of Emmett Stack, leading over a furlong out to beat Spirito Di Punto by a length.
Danny Howard had his claim reduced to 5lb's after partnering Auditty to land the Mean Fiddler Handicap Chase for the second successive year, leading three out for an eight lengths victory over Carrig House.
Roseau, who is tested in foal to Orpen, is likely to be retired to the paddocks after heading Gone No More at the last under Philip Fenton for a four lengths win in the WLR FM (QR) Maiden Hurdle.
Miskilette also benefitted from the effects of impending motherhood (in foal to Petorius), leading a furlong out under Timmy Houlihan to beat the staying on Lake Millstatt by half a length in the Monksgrange Stud Handicap. 'She is entered again here on Wednesday, and is allowed to run up until the end of next week', said trainer Gerry Keane.
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