Bellewstown abandoned for the second day running Day two of Bellewstown’s 300th anniversary fixture got under way as planned on Wednesday – only to later be abandoned, just as the opening afternoon had been on Tuesday. Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle will be out of action for “a number of weeks” after suffering a heavy fall in the opening race at the Tuesday fixture. There were then two more fallers in the delayed race two and while both Adam Caffrey and Ben Coen emerged unscathed, officials subsequently took the decision to call off the rest of the action. Wednesday’s National Hunt meeting was given the go-ahead after the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board carried out a preliminary review of the incidents. And while the opening contests went as hoped, an incident in the sixth race, where a horse slipped on the bend, meant the last two races were called off. A statement from the IHRB on X said: “The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident in Race 6 involving Garrick Painter, ridden by Simon Torrens, where Garrick Painter slipped up. “The Raceday Stewards met with a delegation of Riders, the IHRB Clerk of the Course, representatives of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and the Racecourse Manager. “Having reviewed the footage and considered the observations, the Raceday Stewards determined that in circumstances where they cannot be satisfied that racing should continue due to safety concerns, it is with deep reluctance, they decided that there was no option but to abandon the remainder of the fixture under the provisions of Rule 10.” Declan Queally’s Rocky’s Howya (5-1) had earlier dominated from the front to claim his sixth win of the year so far in the opening Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Claiming Hurdle, pulling eight lengths clear of the chasing pack under 5lb claimer Eoin Staples. Of the ground, the winning rider said: “It’s lovely, slow side of good and there could even be a bit of yielding at the bends. No complaints.” Queally was delighted the performance, adding: “In that grade he is (dynamite), but I always kind of think when I come away out of a claimer that I will be able to place him in something that he can be competitive in, but I still haven’t fired that dart – I will try again, though. “He has won six races this year and it is hard to win one, so I’m delighted.” Seventh-placed Eastern Wind was subsequently claimed by Michael Owen to be trained by Hugo Palmer Thesilverbridle made it third time lucky under rules in the Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Maiden Hurdle. The point-to-point winner had finished second on her first two starts for John McConnell, but knuckled down from the final flight to go one better as a 7-4 shot in the hands of Alex Harvey. “She’s not the biggest, but she is quite well-bred as a half-sister to (Grade Two winner) Senecia,” said McConnell. “We’ll definitely keep her going. She is a novice now until the end of April, so she is going to have to keep going for that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up in Sedgefield or somewhere. Baby steps and then see where she takes us.” An eventful Money Back Daily Specials With Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle was landed by Ardgillan who negotiated a dramatic contest to pounce late at 18-1 under 7lb claimer Josh Halford. Grace’s Legacy and Hatfield Hammer made it no further than the first, falling independently, while one of those subsequently forced the well-backed Dunany Point out approaching the wing of a hurdle in the back straight. With four in contention over the last rising star Daniel King looked to have timed his run to perfection arriving late on Goin, only for Halford to deliver his challenge even later on the outside close home. Steps In The Sand denied Goin the runner-up spot. Halford said of the Martin Lynch-trained winner: “Dad (former trainer Michael Halford) actually had him as a bumper horse. We broke him and got him riding, and he showed us the world at home – he’s a very good work horse, but didn’t do it on the track for some reason. “It was great for Martin, he did a great job with the horse. To be fair to Fiona (Wentges, owner), she was a big part of dad’s yard for a very, very long time and stayed loyal to me, so it was great to do it in her colours. “I was able to stay out of trouble. I said I would drop him three-quarters of the way back and take my time on him and just get him into a rhythm because his jumping is very good.” He added: “I love it (since turning conditional), I’m doing a lot more riding which is great. I’m getting plenty of opportunities off great trainers and owners and I’m very grateful for every opportunity. “Still based with Gordon (Elliott) and he is very good to give me two days off a week which I do with Enda Bolger, who I rode plenty of point-to-point winners for. I’ve started in Noel Meade’s on a Saturday which is great.”
