Ashdale Bob off the mark over fences The Belvedere House & Gardens Opportunity Beginners Steeplechase was a cracking contest for a Monday night in June and there was no hanging about up front which suited smart staying hurdler Ashdale Bob (9/2) who came from off the pace to lead at the last.  The Jessica Harrington-trained dual Grade 2 winner, running over fences for the first time since late 2021, stayed on well to beat Thecompanysergeant by three and a quarter lengths.  Jockey Conor Smithers, whose brother Peter had landed the previous contest on Happy Jacky, said of Diarmuid Horgan's nine-year-old: “The last two or three years he’s been running great races but just hitting the crossbar and it’s great that he’s won again. “He was a bit brave over the first few and came out of my hands but got into a rhythm after a while.  “He schooled super before he was a non-runner in Clonmel (change in going ten days ago) and had a pop this morning. He’s one of the best jumpers that I’ve sat on, he’s brilliant.  “Early on I was pretty much flat to the boards, and it was just his class that kept him going. I think a step up in distance will suit him and hopefully he’ll have a good career chasing.”  Quotes from Alan Magee
