18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Bella Bliss rewards her owners in Down Royal

Mon 1st May 2023, 17:38

Bella Bliss, far side, wins from Cocoplum Bella Bliss, far side, wins from Cocoplum
© Photo Healy Racing

Bella Bliss foiled a gamble on Cocoplum in the Club Orange Hurdle over three miles in Down Royal.

Cocoplum (40/1 - 14/1) made a bad mistake at the last and was soon headed by Bella Bliss who stayed on well for Eoin Walsh to win by two and a-half lengths at 3/1.

Cocoplum had to settle for second, a neck in front of Holmes St George (5/2).

Trainer John McConnell said: "She was very unlucky the last day in Hexham (when second), she should have won.

"She came out of it very well and the guys Claire (Wylie) and Mark (Devlin, owners) wanted to come here. When we saw the entries, we said it was worth a crack.

"She has done it well, she's a pretty decent mare. She has a bit of class about her.

"I think she will go chasing at some point in the summer, but we might have a crack at another hurdle in the meantime.

"She has been a very consistent mare and I wouldn't mind a few more like her. "

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.