Bubbly Bellini is driven out by Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Bubbly Bellini justified favouritism as he recorded his second win of the Flat Turf season, taking the Tote Punchestown Preview Evening Handicap under Declan McDonogh for Adrian McGuinness.
The eight-year-old son of Mull Of Kintyre won at the Curragh last month before going down by just half a length at Cork on Monday last.
Available at 7/1 last night he opened on-course at just 4/1 before going off the 9/2 favourite.
Settled in mid-division he came with his challenge over a furlong out and he quickly got to the front, keeping on well inside the final furlong, going on to score convincingly by two and three parts of a length. In Salutem finished second at 6/1 under Shane Foley for Ken Condon while top-weight An Saighdiur (6/1) was a further half a length back in third under Billy Lee for Andy Slattery.
Declan McDonogh said afterwards: "He got a bit crowded but it suited him and he showed a good kick in the last furlong.
"He feels stronger than last year and Ado might give him a break now for the Guineas weekend."
The winner who is owned by Gary Devlin and Hazel McGuinness was recording his fourteenth career success this evening.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
