Ole Ole is a class above his rivals in Bellewstown opener After some fine efforts in defeat, the 123-rated Ole Ole (1/3f from 4/5 early) got a deserved win to his name in the opening Byrne Marquees Maiden Hurdle. A runner-up on his first three starts for Gavin Cromwell and fitted with a hood today, the French import fell three out when last seen in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. Back in much calmer waters this afternoon, the Vasile Ionesi-owned bay raced in fourth under Keith Donoghue, taking closer order from three out. Poised to challenge in second approaching the next, he soon eased to the front and stretched clear on the run-in, ultimately coming home 11-lengths to the good. Getting in as a reserve, Monntie (50/1) came through to take second under Elizabeth Gale for 'Shark' Hanlon, while Manoir De Mirande (3/1) faded late on and was half-a-length back in third. "No he wasn't (done with in Cheltenham) - too hard to say, too far out," Cromwell remarked. "I suppose he is entitled to win that off his rating there today and it was nice for him to win. He has been second a couple of times for us - good, solid runs. "I'd say we will let him off now, he has had a busy season. We might bring him back maybe for the Lartigue in Listowel." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
