Ian Brennan pushes out Bubbly Bellini to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The second division of the Twilight BBQ Handicap went to the favourite Bubbly Bellini for the inform pair of Adrian McGuinness and Ian Brennan (had a winner at Navan yesterday with Beau Michael).
Having opened at 5/1 this morning the winner was well supported and opened on course at just 3/1. He touched 11/4 but drifted out to 10/3 at the off.
Having chased the leaders early on he closed from two furlongs out. He then came with his challenge under pressure and hit the front a furlong out.
He drifted left in front of both San Jose City and Refuse To Sell hampering that duo before he stayed on well to draw clear inside the final furlong and score by three and a quarter lengths.
San Jose City kept on well to take second for Muredach Kelly and John Egan at 7/1 while Wellmarked was a further half a length back in third at 11/1 under Pat Smullen.
Winning trainer Adrian McGuinness said afterwards: "He is in again at Sligo on Tuesday over the same trip.
"He wanders around a bit and that’s why he wears the cheekpieces. He lost his way a bit during the winter but he is back to himself now.”
After the race the Stewards gave winning rider Ian Brennan a two day ban for careless riding.
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
