Local permit-holder Donal Kinsella landed the feature race on the opening evening of the three-day Bellewstown Festival when Estival Park stayed on gamely in the mile and three quarters Oldbridge Concrete Handicap.
Tom Queally gradually got the six-year-old gelding into a position to challenge, and headed Environment two furlongs out to score by two lengths. 'Running over hurdles has obviously sweetened him up, and we now may go to Galway,' said Kinsella, who was also full of praise for Queally.
Rinkie Dinkie Doo made all in the opening five furlongs juvenile auction maiden, and Pat Smullen's mount had enough in reserve to hold on by a length from favourite Fairy Pass. 'It's a big advantage having early speed here from a low draw, although he wasn't winning out of turn,' said Smullen afterwards.
Sandtrap was another to take advantage of a number one draw in the three-year-olds' mile maiden, breaking smartly for Colm O'Donoghue and rallying under pressure in the closing stages to peg back Lemonstown Lad. 'He will eventually go hurdling, and in the meantime will run in Flat handicaps,' said trainer Kevin O'Brien.
John Bowles saddled his fifth winner since moving stables 'just a few miles down the road' in Killucan when Craughwell Aris jumped to the front two out under a patient ride from David Casey to beat Castle Kevin by a length and a half in the three miles handicap hurdle. 'He has to be ridden this way, and a lot of the credit must go to Tony Martin as he's only been with me a few weeks,' said Bowles.
Penny Rye was sent off favourite following a promising second at the Curragh, and duly obliged to provide Seamus Heffernan with his 20th winner of the season. Pat Beirne's charge was driven to the front inside the final furlong, and stayed on well to beat main market rival Graceunderpressure by three lengths. 'That's my first winner at this meeting since Summerhill Special won ten years ago, and this filly may go for the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh on Sunday week,' said the Kilcock handler.
Banasan also justified favouritism in the two and a half miles winners hurdle, travelling smoothly under Ruby Walsh to lead after three out for a three and a half lengths verdict over Hanorla. 'He is likely to go chasing soon and, if he schools well, could run at Galway later this month,' said trainer Michael O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen.
Alan Magee
