Strait Of Zanzibar enjoys the bends

Strait Of Zanzibar stepped up on his runner-up finish at Down Royal to score in the mile handicap in Bellewstown at 12/1.

The five-year-old gelding was fourth at the halfway stage before Shane Foley rode him into contention at the two pole. He gained a narrow advantage over a furlong from home and kept on to fend off Sretaw by half a length at the finish.

Sretaw, who was nibbled at from 6s to 5/1 at the track, threw down a strong challenge inside the final furlong but had to settle for second with Declan McDonogh in the saddle. Footprint was three and a half lengths away in third at 11/1. The 11/4 favourite Adroit finished eighth.

Shane Foley said: “He found plenty. They went a good even gallop. He’s tough. He won at Down Royal and he likes these twisting tracks. He’s good on a going day.”