Charming Lady & James Ryan lead home Polar Bear & Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Charming Lady was yet another to benefit from front-running tactics at Bellewstown this evening, as she made all in the Dolly's Bar & Pantry Handicap.
Sent off the outsider of the field at 20/1 and the only horse a double-figure price, the Tom McCourt-trained three-year-old was ridden over a furlong out and soon skipped a few lengths clear under James Ryan.
While her advantage was reduced all the way to the line, she ultimately held off the late surge of top-weight Polar Bear (11/2) by a nose.
The Fergal Birrane-trained Tamazu (7/1) also finished strongly and was just half-a-length away in third, while Shoebox King who was returned the 3/1 favourite, could only manage sixth.
"I thought she was a serious price, she had been working well," said McCourt.
"We had her very right when she won at Fairyhouse and I'd say she just went off the boil a bit after it.
"We freshened her up a bit since that and she did a couple of really sharp bits of work recently.
"She just hung on but she showed a lot of boot. It's great for Elaine and Gerry (Shevlin) who are great supporters. Gerry is in involved with Glyde Ranger as well so they are having a good year.
"She's entered at Navan on Saturday but at the minute she's out of the handicap so we'll probably look for something a bit easier. We'll see how she is."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from T.G. McCourt, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Charming Lady, placed first, as compared with its recent form. T. G. McCourt stated that his charge had gone off the boil for her last couple of runs but was freshened up before today. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.
J.M. Sheridan, rider of Tamazu, trained by F.Birrane, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stumbled coming down the hill.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
