Bear bursts through to land feature

The Jessica Harrington-trained Polar Bear burst through inside the final furlong to land the spoils in the featured His Majesty's Cup Rated Race at Bellewstown this afternoon. Sam's Xpress took them along in the five furlong contest but was pressed by Escaping Thejungle inside the final furlong.

Polar Bear came between the pair to launch his challenge, under Shane Foley, and got on top inside the final 100 yards to post a three-parts-of-a-length win over the latter.

The 10/3 winner was last seen finishing well held in the Birdcatcher at Naas in November having won a maiden at the same track previously.

Assistant Kate Harrington said:- “We're very happy with him. He's been gelded over the winter and Shane felt that he really wants to do it now.

“He took a while to get his head in front last season but he's gotten an awful lot stronger over the winter.

“He was really brave there, he had a bit of experience around here as he was second to today's runner-up here last season.

“We'll step him up gradually and he's a nice horse for his connections to have fun with. Stepping up in trip will be no problem and I think he goes on any sort of ground.”