Aspen Belle is clear© Photo Healy Racing
Aspen Belle was the third horse in as many races to make all the running over Cork's five furlongs track today as the Pat Martin trained filly landed the Matchbook Exchange Irish EBF (F) Handicap under jockey Killian Leonard.
The daughter of Roderic O Connor broke smartly and made all for her easy four and three part of a length win over Bailly
Aspen Belle was previously withdrawn at Tipperary on June 4 when getting loose before the start and following today's race Martin quipped “I felt going to Tipperary she was a little short (of work) so the gallop down the back straight didn't do her any harm!
“She is highly strung and is difficult and only that my son Jack gets on so well with her that we wouldn't have got as far as we have.
“She obviously loves this place and we have her in at Sligo on Tuesday. It is a 0-70 fillies handicap and it is not ideal that she will be running with 10st on her back but I'd imagine the reaction she'll get from the handicapper will force out hands to run her.”
“It was probably as safe ground as we could get away with and ideally we wanted the heavens to open tonight but it was lovely and safe and Killian said that was as good as she has ever been.”
The opening two races were also won by all-the-way winners Royal Affair and El Astronaute
