Minella For Value, right, heads The Shaughraun at Bellewstown© Photo Healy Racing
Minella For Value justified 7/4 favouritism in the three mile maiden hurdle for a delighted John Nallen.
The Tipperary-based handler said: “He’s a chaser, but we saw this three mile race and went for it. He might go to Ballinrobe on Tuesday. He’s a three and a half miler.
The seven-year-old gelding was well supported in morning trading from 3/1 to 11/8. He improved to challenge for the lead at the second last, and Davy Russell pushed him into the lead at the last as the pair come home a length and a quarter to the good. The Shaughraun for Liz Lalor and Gareth Malone relinquished the lead coming to the last, but kept on for second. He was nibbled at in the ring from 8/1 to 6/1.
It was a further three parts of a length back to 25/1 outsider Lady Brown in third under Tim Carroll. Again she had her supporters who took the 33s on offer on opening show.
This race saw seven of the 15 runners pulled up. Hilltop Tommy who was well fancied at 9/4, trailed in a tailed-off seventh of the eight finishers.
Minella For Value’s previous outing this campaign was a runner-up spot in a Roscommon novice chase over two miles five on August 6. He was beaten a length by Black Benny.
After the race it was reported that both Hilltop Tommy and Tapaigh An Deis were post race lame.
