"He won easier than we thought," was owner/trainer Paddy Meany's reaction after Belclare Boy shed his maiden tag the 23rd time of asking (all codes) in split one of the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers Race Day June 24th Handicap at Gowran.

Meany has a course specialist on his hands in Enough Is Enough that runs again on this card at 7.25, and here Ronan Whelan (on Belcare Boy for the first time) wasn't long about transmitting to his mount exactly what he required.

The roan coloured son of Ad Valorem soon led and he made virtually all.

Pushed along a furlong and a half out, the seven-year-old was ridden clear a furlong out. From there he stayed on strongly in the final furlong to comfortably defeat Cool Artist by four and a quarter lengths.

"It's nice to win here at our local track, and he'll probably come back here. Hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him," elaborated Meany.

S. Foley, rider of Song Of The Sky (GB), trained by John Joseph Murphy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room turning in.

G.F. Carroll, rider of Forcefull trained by Adrian Paul Keatley, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount suffered slight interference in the final furlong.

N.G. McCullagh, rider of Truly Genius trained by C.P.Donoghue, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount suffered interference turning in.

K.J. Leonard, rider of Nabeel trained by M.A. Gunn, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was dropping backwards when suffering accidental interference.

The Stewards requested a report from P.Meany, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Belclare Boy, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

The Trainer reported that this horse made his seasonal debut at Clonmel on ground quicker than ideal. Today's slower surface at a track where he has previously run well may have brought about today's return to form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

(AM & EM)