Ballycastle Girl surprises Dunne

Ballycastle Girl (12/1) made full use of bottom weight in the three mile handicap hurdle at Bellewstown to post a victory by three and three quarter lengths.

The eight-year-old mare came through to lead at the second last and proved strong over this staying trip on attritional ground with Sean O’Keeffe in the plate. Metal Man ran well in second at 33/1 and was a nine and a half lengths clear of 10/3 favourite Mister Fogpatches

Trainer David Dunne said: “We didn't expect it on that ground. The owner was thinking of pulling her out but I said we can always tell the jockey, if she's not enjoying it, to look after her and keep her for the next day.

“She's a little dinger! We knew the low weight would really suit her. She keeps delivering and the main thing is that they do it on the track.

“She's not the biggest and the low weight really suits her. If she got into a better race and only had 9-10 on her back that would suit.

“I don't know where we'll go next but she's done enough now anyway.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson