Outsiders dominate as Ardamir springs surprise

Outsiders dominated in the feature at Bellewstown this afternoon, the Fast Shipping Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle, with 22/1 chance Ardamir just holding off the late surge of Zoffalee (50/1).

Previously trained in the UK, winning just once from forty starts, the son of Deportivo was bought for 4,200 pounds at Tattersalls Ascot last August.

A good second on debut for Gordon Elliott at Naas in February, he since disappointed at Navan.

Settled in rear by Davy Russell, the eight-year-old gelding made good progress from five out and jumped to the front at the third last flight.

Ridden before the last, he was pressed by Zoffalee and Bryan Cooper on the run-in but pulled out more close home to prevail by half a length.

The front pair went six and a half lengths clear of Play The Game (100/1) in third, while the 4/1 joint-favourites, Poseidon and Zarkareva were fourth and tenth respectively.

Denis O'Regan was aboard the winner and it was his first time to taste success at Bellewstown. O'Regan has now ridden a winner at every jumps track in both Ireland and the UK.

Ian 'Busty' Amond, assistant trainer to Elliott, said: "It's nice to win a pot like that with him.

"He ran well in Naas and then was a bit disappointing the next day but he's obviously come back well now.

"Denis was happy with him, he said he pulled him out down the back as he wasn't travelling but when he pulled him out he came alive with him.

"He said he'd go on with him as he had a light weight, thankfully he held on. He held on well, I was a bit worried going to the last but Denis said he won snug enough.

"He's a grand fun horse and it's a good prize to win with a horse like him.

"I'd imagine he could be one for Galway but he's done his job now anyway."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson