Foley strikes at local track with Gino Bella A dual handicap winner at Cork earlier in the summer, Gino Bella (11/4) improved again to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Pat Walsh Memorial Mares Hurdle over two miles at Gowran. Alan O’Sullivan brought Mrs Rose Byrne’s six-year-old to the front at halfway and she went clear from two out to beat Daboya by four and a half lengths. Last year’s winner Royal Hollow, sent off 5/4 favourite, ran flat and beat only one home in the six-runner affair. “That was very good. The weight was a big help, off 10-2,” said winning trainer Pat Foley. “We had her in the Listed race tomorrow, but she would have been completely out of it on ratings, so it was an easy decision to come here today. “Alan knows her well and gave her an ideal ride. She doesn’t have to be in front, so he took a lead for as long as he needed to. “She looked to have them off the bridle from a long way out. It was very straightforward. “She’ll get a break now and all being well she’ll come back for the mares’ handicap hurdle at the DRF. She’ll go chasing after that.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
