Bellewstown Rides Again: Rocky's Howya Leads the Charge on Day Two
Bellewstown's 300th anniversary celebrations got back on track Wednesday after Tuesday's drama, with Declan Queally's Rocky's Howya stealing the show in the opening race. The five-year-old dominated from the front to claim his sixth win of the year, pulling eight lengths clear of the chasing pack in the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Claiming Hurdle.
What happened on Tuesday at Bellewstown?
Tuesday's card was abandoned after a series of heavy falls raised safety concerns. Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was ruled out for several weeks following a fall in Monday's opening race, and while Adam Caffrey and Ben Coen emerged unscathed from their own spills, officials decided to call off the rest of the action. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board conducted a preliminary review, and Wednesday's National Hunt meeting was given the green light.
How did Rocky's Howya win?
Under 5lb claimer Eoin Staples, Rocky's Howya (5/1) set a relentless pace and never looked back. Staples praised the ground conditions, saying:
It's lovely, slow side of good and there could even be a bit of yielding at the bends. No complaints.
Queally was beaming after the performance:
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.
Who else impressed on day two?
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.
McConnell said:
She's not the biggest, but she is quite well-bred as a half-sister to Grade Two winner Senecia. 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.
The Money Back Daily Specials With Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle was an eventful affair, won by Ardgillan at 18/1 under 7lb claimer Josh Halford. Grace's Legacy and Hatfield Hammer fell at the first, and Dunany Point was forced out later in the back straight. With four in contention over the last, Daniel King looked to have timed his run perfectly on Goin, only for Halford to deliver his challenge even later on the outside. Steps In The Sand denied Goin the runner-up spot.
Halford said of the Martin Lynch-trained winner:
Dad 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.
What's next for Bellewstown?
With the meeting back in full swing, the focus now shifts to the rest of the anniversary fixture. The resilience shown by the track and its community after Tuesday's setbacks is a reminder of the spirit that has kept Bellewstown going for three centuries. Here's to the next 300 years.