Blenheim Belle a 40-1 winner on handicap debut for McNiff

Blenheim Belle made her first start in handicap company a winning one when keeping on nicely under Philip Enright to cause a 40/1 upset in the Follow Us On Instagram Mares Handicap Hurdle at Cork.

Placed once from six starts on the flat in Britain for Tom Ward, the daughter of Churchill had shown ability when finishing mid division on her first couple of runs in maiden hurdles before disappointing at Sligo last time.

Held up in rear this afternoon, Enright moved closer into mid division on the Mark McNiff trained four-year-old before coming with a run approaching the final flight.

Landing well, the filly led and stayed on strongly to hold the rallying Getabelle by half-a-length.

Phillip Enright said: “They went quick in front and she settled into a nice rhythm and in fairness she picked up well in the straight for me.

“I was a little bit further back than I’d planned but that’s where she was travelling. When I turned in she started picking a few of them off and kept galloping.

“She jumped well and hopefully can step forward.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee