Conor Brassil after his Bellewstown double© Photo Healy Racing
In a race where plenty held chances at the business end, Steamboat Quay forged on best to take Division Two of the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Bellewstown.
He gave jockey Conor Brassil a quick-fire double as landed the preceding race - Division One - on board Dancing Duke
Steamboat Quay saw sustained support at the track from 2/1 to 13/8 favourite. He tracked Fenlon's Hill at the third last and led on the bridle upon landing.
He was ridden between the last two flights as fully six horses held valid chances of victory.
However, Steamboat Quay held a narrow advantage jumping the final flight and kept at it well on the run-in to account for the staying-on Ben Rumson (9/2 from 8/1 in the morning) by three lengths. Generous Guest (33/1) was a head off Ben Rumson with the same distance back to Seaweed in fourth at 12/1.
“He was entitled to win it as he he'd been waiting for his chance a little bit and had been a bit unlucky a few days,” trainer Gordon Elliott said.
“It wasn't the strongest race in the world but it's grand he won anyway. We'll just find something low grade again for him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
