Grandero Bello and Ricky Doyle © Photo Healy Racing
Grandero Bello produced a fine front-running performance to land the spoils in the two-and-a-half mile beginners chase at Gowran Park, for Eddie and Patrick Harty.
The Great Pretender gelding had run a cracker to push Bronn close at Fairyhouse last time and went to post an 11/8 shot today.
Ricky Doyle gave the favourite a positive ride and he had his rivals at work before the straight.
The seven-year-old was slightly untidy at the penultimate fence but was big and bold at the last as he galloped on strongly to record a cosy five-and-a-half length success over Macs Charm
Eddie Harty said afterwards:- "Theoretically he was the best horse in today's race, we know he liked the ground, the trip and we know he jumps well. He won well.
"The plan was to go to Naas for a Grade B handicap chase next week but when we saw the ground softening we had to stick him in this beginners and it cut up into a winnable race.
"We'll still put him in the Naas race as the entries close on Monday and he won't have done anything in between races - we'll have a look and see what the handicapper does. You could be stupid and put him in the Irish National as well but he hasn't that many miles up and there is another Grade B handicap at Navan before Cheltenham."
He added:- "He is owned by Josie Reed, Nicky Henderson's sister and her pal Robert Caddick and Barry Geraghty sourced the horse and had the Henderson connection.
"Josie wanted to have a horse in Ireland as during covid, she realised she had ancestors in Ireland. Patrick (son and joint-trainer) was assistant to Nicky and I'd be pally with Nicky for a long time, so she sent the horse to us.
"He has now won two for them and has never run a bad race."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
