Baby ends long lean spell for Madden

Baby Bellini provided Iggy Madden with his first success since May of 2015, as he sprang a 16/1 surprise in the Anglo Printers 1890 624 624 Handicap Hurdle.

A good fourth at Sligo on his last start, the son of Ivan Denisovich was settled in mid-division by Adam Short.

He took closer order before two out, and kept on best under pressure from last, getting the better of Banjo (5/1jfav from 7s) and Denis O'Regan by three parts of a length. Rathnaleen Girl (11/1) was another three and a half lengths back in third, while Effernock Lad (33s this morning, returned 8s) completed the placings in fourth. Derby De Thaix was the other joint-favourite, and he finished a disappointing seventh.

Short said afterwards: "He never got into it at Sligo the last day and the stiffer track suited better today. He did a nice bit of work last Saturday and had the headgear (cheekpieces) back on him today."

STEWARDS REPORT

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Our Bonus trained by W.J.Lanigan, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes