With two of his rivals 'springing' in the market, connections and backers of Three Bells would have be forgiven for going 'watery' before the La Bucca Restaurants Handicap at Fairyhouse. Deserted by 'lady luck' thus far this campaign, it all came together for Three Bells under Joseph O'Brien on this occasion.

His trainer, Pat Downey, may have had reservations about the good ground but he needn't have worried as O'Brien was never far away on the 2/1 favourite and he kept at bay those two aforementioned 'lively in the betting' opponents, Doc Holliday and Havelock Ellis by a length and a length and three parts.

"Limerick was a disaster (an unlucky third when gambled-on). Last year he was real weak. We'll see now if we can find another one – maybe at Galway.

"We made use of the draw tonight which we didn't do at Limerick. That's what we should have done there," remarked local handler Downey. (AM & EM)