Vedettariat looked good at Belharbour © Photo Healy Racing
Pat Doyle's record in the much sought after four-year-old maiden at Belharbour, is seriously impressive. After a gap of two years the Holycross-handler was back in the number after the opener at this year's County Clare Hunt meeting, courtesy of Vedettariat.
Doyle was going for a four-timer here in 2011 after Tataniano (2008), Stonemaster (2009) and Faultless Feelings in 2010. Indeed that would have been achieved had Tackmaster not come down at the last. In 2012 the Doyle runner, Band Of Blood finished runner-up.
Anyway, back to last Sunday and in the seven runner two and a half mile affair, the Derek O'Connor-ridden, Walter Connors-owned odds-on shot, Vedettariat, a son of Lavirco (sire of Mikael D'Haguenet, Roi Du Mee, So Young, Tarla etc.) showed a good turn of foot down the hill in the straight.
He beat horses from two other good sources – Denis Murphy's Bellorophon (Jamie Codd up) and Warren Ewing's Fight Commander (Mark O'Hare in the plate) by two and a half lengths and half a length.
Doyle said afterwards: "He was very green but we think he's very good. We're surprised how green he was but it was his first time on a bit of grass apart from schooling. I'd say he's likely to be sold now."
Later Derek O'Connor went close more than once during the afternoon but at his local meeting he sent his many supporters home happy by winning the last as well, on Robert Tyner's Aughrim Article. (EM)
