Salah on target in Curragh finale Despite proving easy-to-back, Salah Belle made it two wins from three starts in the concluding Sky Bet Request A Bet 3yo Handicap. A 33/1 winner on debut at Dundalk in December, the Sheila Lavery-trained bay since finished down the field on soft ground when last seen. Owned and bred by Claire Noone, the daughter of Calyx was sent off a 16/1 chance this evening, drifting from early shows of 9/1. Settled just behind the leaders on the inner by Robbie Colgan, the 74-rated victor travelled best with a furlong-and-a-half to race. Soon ridden, she edged to the front inside the final 150 yards, ultimately coming home a length-and-a-half to the good. Paul McEnery's Fivecromwellplace (16/1) filled the runner-up spot under Nathan Crosse, while Dark Viper (4/1 from 11s early) was half-a-length back in third. Placed on his last three starts, The Bear Trap was returned the 10/3 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth. "She was just very gassy the last day over seven," said Lavery. "I'm delighted, she did that very nicely. She's a very straightforward filly but she just has no patience for hanging around here (in the winners enclosure). "There is a race for her in Fairyhouse but I'll have to see what the handicapper does. "The guys thought she'd get seven last time and that's why I ran her and maybe if she settled she would, but I think it's just easier to keep her at six at the moment. "I'm thrilled for her and thrilled for Claire." STEWARDS REPORT * C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Blame Thechampagne, trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
