The [email protected] Handicap looked a typically wide open contest in this sort of grade. However plenty liked the chances of Bubbly Bellini and they were proved correct in convincing enough fashion as the four-year-old prevailed under Colm O'Donoghue.

Equipped with a nose-band and cheek-pieces, the victorious Mull Of Kintyre gelding travelled best of all to the business end and once asked to go and win his race by O'Donoghue, the 4/1 joint favourite (from 11/2 this morning) found what was required to beat the gallant front-runner Macnas

Adrian McGuinness now trains the four-time winner on the level cross-channel for Alan Bailey and George Baker.

He now runs in the colours of Portadown, County Armagh man Gary Devlin.

McGuinness commented: "Bubbly Bellini is fit and well and he was a bit unlucky at Lingfield where he was placed twice.

"We'll see what the handicapper does but he may be back here next week over seven furlongs. He can be a tricky ride and Colm was great on him. He's a well-handicapped horse at present (ran here off 52 having been as high as the mid-seventies in the past)."