Gandolfo gets off the mark in Bellewstown Claimer

The Noel Meade trained Gandolfo registered a first career success when landing the opening Seamus Murphy Memorial Optional Claiming Maiden at Bellewstown.

Just denied at Gowran Park on his penultimate start, the Churchill gelding failed to back that effort up when down the field at Punchestown last time.

Sent off 13/8f for this Claimer, jockey Colin Keane tracked the leaders in fourth, travelling easily as those at the head of affairs entered the home straight.

Switched to the inner to go second over a furlong out, Gandolfo headed leader Dark Viper over 100 yards out, keeping on strongly for a rather comfortable one-and-a-half length win.

Colin Keane said: "He's probably been a little bit disappointing to be honest. We thought he would have won his maiden, so the fact he had to do it in claiming company is a bit disappointing.

"He got the job done and hopefully that will give him confidence.

"Until today, yes (best performance was in second at Gowran Park last month). I'd say he enjoyed being bottled up and hopefully he will get confidence from that."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.

No claims following this race.