Bella Colombia gets back on track Successful on debut but failing to follow-up in 22 subsequent starts, Bella Colombia finally got her head back in front, taking the Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap under Billy Lee. Second over the course and distance in January, the Willie McCreery-trained five-year-old was available at 12/1 in early shows for this 13-runner heat, eventually going off a 7/1 chance in the colours of the COR Racing Syndicate. Soon settled towards rear of mid-division, the 59-rated bay meandered her way through the field in the straight and hit the front inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well to score by a length-and-a-quarter. Well-supported from 6s early and returned the 7/2 favourite, Desert Of The Sea filled the runner-up spot under Wesley Joyce for Tom McCourt, while Alex Belardo (11/2) was just a neck away in third. "We went a nice gallop and I sat and suffered in behind them and let the race unfold in front of me," Lee reflected. "She travelled well into the straight and then when they split across the track, I was able to go up through them without too much hassle, and she picked up well. Ridden like that, off a good gallop, probably suited her. "We were just a little bit worried about the mile beforehand, but she got it very well. Hopefully, she can go in again. "She will be out of the 60s now probably again, but hopefully it will give her a bit of confidence. "Nice to get Willie off to a start for the year." STEWARDS REPORTS * J. Kearney, rider of Imperial Fighter, trained by Patrick J. McKenna, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away. * J.S. Dalton, rider of Manhattan Dandy, trained by Thomas Coyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right under pressure. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
