Bowensonfire bags Bellewstown feature under Kennedy Just a day on from his first winner since returning from an injury enforced near four-month absence, Jack Kennedy landed the valuable QuinnBet Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle aboard Bowensonfire. Not beaten far when third on his most recent start at Downpatrick, the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of KTDA Racing. Given a patient ride, he made good headway from three out and really moved into contention when pushed along from the next. Coming through to lead on the approach to the final flight, the 123-rated bay stretched clear on the run-in and came home four-and-a-half lengths to the good. Gavin Cromwell representatives finished second and third, with the easy-to-back Stuntman Steve (11/1 from 6s) a length in front of the 10/3 favourite Ballysax Hank. "He was good there. I'd say the Galway Hurdle is probably next on the cards for him. I'm sure he will probably have a light-enough weight," Kennedy reflected. "He probably got knocked around a lot in that race and that can happen in the Galway Hurdle. He's showing the right signs of handling that type of race. "It was messy, I was getting knocked around a lot. He jumped very quick and I was up the back of horses and things. He did it well in the end. "He's a nice horse with a bit of ability and it probably took a while for the penny to drop with him. Hopefully, there will be more to come from him." On his return to action, he added: "I got a couple of bangs in Cheltenham and wasn't fully right after it. I took a bit of time off just to get everything right. I got a plate out of my collarbone and got a few bits tidied up. Everything is 100 per cent touch wood. "Hopefully, it is onwards and upwards. "The year before last I got my good run and that was a brilliant year, so obviously something similar would be great. It will hard to top I'd say." STEWARDS REPORT * D. King, rider of God Of Thunder, trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount would have started the first time, but refused to start the second time. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
