Punters who bet on horses to win the race they won last year secured a juicy 10/1 payout in Bellewstown as Aranhill Chief duly won for the second year in-a-row.

Stephen Mahon’s gelding was ridden by Robert Dunne last year, but was partnered by Paul Carberry today. This gave Carberry a Bellewstown double.

Carberry had Aranhill Chief in the lead after the first hurdle in this two and a half mile contest. Coming to the second last, the 10/1 shot looked to be a sitting duck for 2/1 favourite Shield However, it was the mare Clara McCloud who sprouted wings and charged down the inside under Davy Condon.

As Shield wilted into third, Aranhill Chief still had plenty more to give and Carberry got it all from him as the pair prevailed by a head from Clara McCloud (9/2).

Stephen Mahon said: “I think he could be a Galway Plate horse for next year. I decided to go to Ballinrobe the last day to give him a hurdle run. I thought he would have put up a much better show, but they watered the hell out of the ground and it was dead.

“If it wasn’t for Bellewstown I probably wouldn’t be involved in racing as I was brought up near here. My first memory was coming here when five with my father.

“The owner breeder Pa Kelly is from Galway and is 76 and is still training greyhounds.”

The Stewards interviewed R.M. Power, rider of Shield, placed third, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion R.M. Power was in breach of Regulation 10 4 in that he failed to give his mount time to respond, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for one race day.

The Stewards interviewed D.J. Condon, rider of Clara Mc Cloud placed second, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion D.J. Condon was in breach of Regulation 10 4 in that he failed to give his mount time to respond and Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he used his whip with excessive force, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 race days.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee