Cordelia Belle, second left, in action at Clonmel© Photo Healy Racing
Cordelia Belle doubled up on her Fairyhouse victory when holding on by a rapidly diminishing head in the extended two mile handicap hurdle at Clonmel.
The 5/1 joint-favourite was delivered into contention three out by jockey Andrew Lynch. She cleared the second last in unison with He’s Our Man, but went on at the last. From there, however, Ittimetogo got motoring and charged down the outside under an Adrian Heskin drive, but the pair came up short.
Ittimetogo attracted support this morning from 33/1 to 16/1. She was returned at 25s. Benhego who got third-placed money for his troubles also had backers at fancy prices. He opened at 50s and shortened to 40/1 on the off. He’s Our Man at 12/1 occupied fourth place in this 18-runner handicap.
Henry de Bromhead trained the seven-year-old mare and he said: “I'm delighted for her owners [the Flanagan's from the North] who bred her and sent her down to me. She is a tough mare and she has won two on the bounce now.
“She is a half-sister to Moscow Mannon and he has been placed in Grade One company so she will be a valuable broodmare. Andrew gave her a super ride and I'm not sure where she will go now.”
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
