Money Spider back in the readies

Money Spider and Sean McDermott had a snug victory in the concluding handicap hurdle at Bellewstown at rewarding odds of 25/1.

She had finished third at last year’s Galway Festival in a seven furlong handicap before winning on the flat in Naas and over jumps at Punchestown.

Her form since Christmas had tailed off on heavy ground, but back on a quick surface she made no mistake for trainer John O’Shea who said: “I thought she wasn’t too bad when she won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

“But she never got a chance to run on fast ground even when she was with David Wachman on the flat last year. It was a competitive enough handicap hurdle.

“She may go to Killarney or Galway for something similar.”

Jockey Sean McDermott added: “Fair play to John for getting her to peak for today having been off for 71 days.

“She’s a very small filly, one of the smallest I’ve ridden, but sh’e very game and she should win again before she gets too high in the ratings.”

McDermott had her to the fore as the field came to the second last. From there she jumped the last well and pulled ahead of Boxer Beat (6/1) close home to win by a length and a half.

Anoosu (12/1 in morning to an SP of 7/1) took third for Liz Doyle and Andrew Ring.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee