Belle secures quick double for Coen and Murtagh

In the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park, Cadeau Belle delivered an impressive performance to secure a quick double on the card for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen.

The Harry Angel filly, sporting the colours of trainer's wife Orla, was well backed from 8/1 to 4/1 for the seven-furlong contest.

Cadeau Belle tracked the leaders before picking up after the two-furlong pole. With her sights set on frontrunner Finsceal Go Deo (5/2), Coen made his move in the final furlong, chasing her down convincingly.

In final 50 yards, Cadeau Belle took the lead to win by a length-and-a-quarter, marking an impressive debut for the filly.

Murtagh said: “I was more confident after the first race as the three fillies all went up Walsh’s Hill nicely together last week.

“I thought coming here to win around Gowran first time is hard. I did expect them to run well and they might hit the board.

“This is a nice filly — big, tall and should improve a nice bit from the run. That’s a nice trip for her and she definitely wants better ground.

“It’s nice to be winning these maidens this time of year because you know you have decent horses. They are going to have to step up but they could.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)