Favourite Blue obliges in Bellewstown opener

The opening race of the three day Bellewstown July Festival, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden, went to the 11/10 favourite Scream Blue Murder for trainer Tommy Stack with Wayne Lordan in the saddle.

The daughter of Oratorio had two runs to her name before today, finishing second on her debut at Navan in May behind the smart Cristoforo Colombo.

She put in a decent effort on her next start in the Listed Sprint Stakes at Naas last month where she finished fifth behind the Richard Hannon trained Sky Latern.

Her first two efforts were over six furlongs and dropped back by a furlong today she made all and was pushed clear inside the final furlong to record a comfortable four and three parts of a length success.

The 9/4 second choice of punters was Desert Of Dreams and he occupied the runner-up position for trainer Paul Deegan with Chris Hayes in the saddle.

Assistant trainer Fozzy Stack said afterwards: "We always thought a lot of her. We were a bit worried about the ground but this was the fifth last five furlong maiden for 2yo's until November.

"She is far better than a Bellewstown horse. She could run in a Listed race at Tipperary next week.

"She should progress from here. She ran well first time out at Navan but didn’t quite fire at Naas where she may not have got the six furlongs.

"Her owners Mr & Mrs Rupert are from South Africa and they own Drakenstein Stud there."

(On-course reporting from Michael Graham)