Gainford gets tune out of Mister Bells

Mister Bells put in a stout staying performance to land the first split of the extended two mile six furlong handicap chase in Limerick for Paul Nolan.

Jordan Gainford manoeuvred his partner into contention off the home turn and the pair came through to dispute with Gold Creek at the second last.

A good jump saw Mister Bells take a narrow lead but Gold Creek was still bang there at the final fence.

Mister Bells got the better of him on the run-in but grey horse Olive D'haguenet unleashed his challenge on the outside.

Mister Bells saw him off, though, in first-time cheekpieces by a length and a half at 8/1 backed from double that price this morning.

Olive D'haguenet finished his race well in second at 50/1. Gold Creek (12/1) came in third with a gap back to fourth-placed Goulane Jessie (11/4f).

Gainford said: "The cheekpieces were the trick and he handled the trip and loved the ground.

"His jumping left him down in the second half of the race the last day but he jumped very well today and put it all together."

This was Mister Bells' breakthrough victory on his ninth start.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes