Chasing Belle is left clear in the 'Close Brothers' There was late drama in Punchestown's Close Brothers Mares Handicap Chase today with winner Indie Belle (7/1) capitalising on the final fence falls of leaders Queen Jane and Bonnie Kellie. Queen Jane and Bonnie Kellie were upsides when both fell at the last and while Indie Belle was half a length behind, had met trouble early in the home straight and was closing. The late drama left Indie Belle, under yesterday's Gold Cup winning jockey JJ Slevin, to coast home to a 15 lengths win. Afterwards Indie Belle's trainer Robert Widger reported “we thought the ground was drying out a bit on her and would have been happier if it were softer but we had a bit of luck “She seems to be progressing the whole time. I’d say right-handed suits her better although she was unlucky two days in Navan. “We’ll probably give her a bit of a break. We may go back for another hurdle race as she is only 94 over hurdles but with the ground drying out we might just leave her off now.” Quotes from Alan Magee
