Balmont Belle (near side) and Orator fight out the finish© Photo Healy Racing
Orator was all the rage to end a frustrating sequence of placings in the Bar One Racing Telebetting 1800 624 524 Maiden but the well-bred Galileo colt had to settle for the runner-up spot yet again as Balmont Belle took the spoils.
The 8/11 favourite forced the pace under Wayne Lordan but was strongly pressed approaching the furlong pole by Balmont Belle.
The 12/1 chance got on top in the final 100 yards to complete a quick double for Pat Smullen, who was also successful in the previous fillies maiden with the impressive Flying Jib (6/4).
Tracey Collins’ charge had three quarters of a length to spare at the line, with Arch Pearl keeping on into third a further half-length adrift. Like A Diamond withdrawn in controversial circumstances at Ballinrobe last month having been backed from 50/1 into 3/1 before racing, ran well here on his debut.
A steady 7/1 chance in the market, the Sharon Dunphy-trained gelding travelled well early in the straight to throw down a challenge but could find no extra in the final furlong to eventually finish fourth.
Collins said, “I think that stamina won the day, and Pat gave her a lovely ride. The flat track here helped as she wasn’t suited by the undulations at Wexford the last day.”
