Arklow Lad too strong for jolly in Bellewstown The Kieran Cotter trained Arkow Lad proved far too good for odds-on favourite Glory To Be when keeping on strongly to win the Johnny Sullivan Memorial Maiden at Bellewstown. Rated 1lb higher than the market leader on official rating, Arklow Lad finished over two-lengths behind the Michael Grassick trained filly when the pair met at the Curragh in August. However, on this vastly different track, the placing were reversed as Arklow Lad relished conditions, while Glory To Be appeared to struggle. Chasing leader Star Allure from stalls, Declan McDonogh came through on the 10/3 chance to take over in front with a furlong left to race. Glory To Be, who never seemed happy on the track, was off the bridle early on but to her credit she stayed at it well to eventually come through for second. Kieran Cotter said: "I suppose at the end of the day that is what racing is about (enthusiastic owners), we need kind of more people like that. This is the first horse they've had, they actually took a lease in him and he is heading to the sales at the end of the month. They rolled the dice and it is after paying off for them. "Hopefully, we can find something in the next week or two before he goes. "He did (keep on) - he's a big, raw horse and he has got better with every run. Today was the best he has ever been. "The horse had been a bit keen before and, when I saw he was still holding onto him coming to the bottom of the hill, I knew they wouldn't beat him. "No (not worried about the ground), he actually got a bit of a sore shin about a month ago from running on quickish ground. The ground didn't bother me at all." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
