48/1 Bellewstown brace for McDonogh

Declan McDonogh doubled his score on the evening at Bellewstown when High Expectations followed up a Tramore win from 11 days earlier in the Lougher Stables Handicap.

McDonogh won the 6.45 on Liam Lennon's Haqeeba but in the mile and a half finale he was aboard market-leading High Expectations for Gordon Elliott.

He shared 7/2 favouritism with Shoulda Lied That opponent could manage only eighth place whilst High Expectations up front stayed on too strongly for Hague Convention — by two and three parts of a length.

Elliott said: "He's in Navan on Saturday and we might run him again. I'm delighted for Martin (Wasylocha, owner) as he's been with me from the start. He's from Collon so this is his local track."

G.P. Halpin, rider of Lost History trained by John James Feane, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly in the straight.

D.W. O'Connor, rider of Vitalized trained by Damian Joseph English, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount dwelt in stalls.

P.J. Smullen, rider of Glenbank King trained by Lee Smyth, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stumbled badly at the start and moved badly thereafter.

S. Foley, rider of Presidio trained by Damian Joseph English, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action coming out of stalls.

(AM & EM)