Slamadoor opens her account under a cool Whelan ride

Slamadoor benefitted from a patent ride by Ronan Whelan to cause something of a surprise in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Handicap at Bellewstown.

The 18/1 chance made headway up in the inner in the straight and struck the front over 100 yards out to beat Nyla Rua by a length with Finke River not enjoying the clearest of runs before keeping on into third.

Winning trainer Jarlath Fahey said, “Ronan gave her a great ride. We decided even though we put blinkers on her to ride a patient race. The seven furlongs was a bit sharp for her the last day.

“She’s a filly that can probably step up a bit more in distance. Bill (White) and the family are new owners to the yard so it’s great to get a winner for them. Hopefully she will progress a bit more from that.

“We don’t know whether she will go on softish ground but she had a nice run as a two-year-old in Dundalk so that might be an option for her."

He added, "Our thoughts are with the Hyland family after the death of Hugh earlier this week."