Danny Sheehy after his first double© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Sheehy brought up a 1406/1 Bellewstown double (the first brace of his career) when Bert Leaf (20/1) got home by half a length from Hard Times in split two of the Eva-Tec Ltd Handicap.
Sheehy's earlier win came for Tom McCourt on Accladora in the opening maiden — a claimer where none of the runners found a new home.
After dwelling at the stalls, Seamus Fahey's Bert Leaf came from towards the back of the field down the inner. The five-year-old got there inside the last to prevail from fellow slow starter Hard Times.
Fahey said: "She had some good form last year but it tapered off towards the end of the year and we probably kept her on the go a little bit too long. She's owned by Robbie Smithers' grandparents (Peter and Marie Davis) but Robbie couldn't do the weight. She was basically bought for him to ride.
"We'll look for something similar and she likes a little dig in the ground. She missed the break and he was lucky that the gaps came up the inside. She may go on and jump a hurdle.”
K.J. Leonard, rider of Free To Roam trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stumbled down the back straight.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Lightening Stricks trained by Liam Roche, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.
(AM & EM)
