Bedelia rewards her backers at 20/1 in opener

Bedelia served up a 20/1 surprise in the opening apprentice claimer over the extended nine furlongs at Ballinrobe.

She raced towards the rear of this seven-runner field before Conor Stone-Walsh asked her to improve racing past the three pole.

The Profitable filly took much closer order on the leader Love Mocha with a quarter of a mile to travel and came to challenge new leader Western Cape entering the straight.

Bedelia came home the stronger inside the final 100 yards to go on by a length close home. Runner-up Western Cape was nicely backed down to 2/1.

Jamie Powell earned his fee on the third, Lady Pro who was off the bridle in rear over a half a mile from home, but finished well to get up for third without threatening the front pair.

Bedelia's best result in seven previous outings was a runner-up spot at Dundalk in November. She sported a first-time tongue-strap today in addition to blinkers.

Gavin Cromwell said: “She has ability, but tended to down tools when they came around her.

“She reared coming out of stalls today and he kept her wide in a small field with loads of room. She enjoyed passing them and finished out her race well.”

Cromwell also ran Cyber Attack who finished fifth under Robert Whearty.

Bedelia was claimed for €4,000 to be trained by Shark Hanlon, Lady Pro was claimed for €10,000 to be trained by Keith Watson while Cyber Attack was the subject of a friendly claim by Cromwell.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee