Carlingford Lough jumps the last just ahead of Eagle's Pass© Photo Healy Racing
The feature race at Bellewstown this evening, the Seamus Mulvaney Crockafotha Handicap Hurdle, went to the 11/10 favourite Carlingford Lough for trainer John Kiely with Mark Walsh aboard (completing a double after winning the first on Thomas Edison .
The 6yo son of King's Theatre had just four runs to his name before today, winning his maiden hurdle at Roscommon last July on his second start before following up in handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival last year.
He made his 2012 debut at Killarney in May where he ran a decent race to finish a close up sixth behind Satu.
Stepped up in trip to two and a half miles for the first time today, the JP McManus owned (second winner after Thomas Edison) gelding chased the leaders early on and was third at the halfway stage.
He improved into second after the fourth last and hit the front three out.
He kept on well under pressure from there to hold off the challenge of the 10yo Eagle's Pass under Philip Enright (5/1) by two and a quarter lengths at the line.
The front duo went fifteen lengths clear of Redera who finished in third under Ruby Walsh for Tony Martin at 11/2.
Winning rider Mark Walsh said afterwards: "He is a lovely horse and he will make a lovely chaser. Whatever he does hurdling is a bonus and he handled the ground fine."
Winning trainer John Kiely added: "That was comfortable enough. He has always had a bit of class."
The field for the race was decimated to just eight after Whodoyouthink, Black Benny, I Hear A Symphony and Battling Boru were all taken out.
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
