BALLYBAWN Belter bounced back from an unplaced run at the Galway Festival, to record her third win of the year, when taking the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe, last Friday evening.

The J.P. McManus-owned mare won a valuable handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival and was also successful at the Punchestown Festival.

The 9/2 chance was far from fluent at the final flight, but was soon in front under Charlie O’Dwyer and drew clear to beat Shannon Glory by an easy six lengths.

Liam Quinlan received a seven-day suspension for improper riding after an incident in the back straight, where his mount Fairyhill Run appeared to tighten up the Mark Walsh-ridden favourite, Something Abouther.

“She missed the break badly in Galway and, in hindsight, at a quick track like that she probably didn’t have the speed to drop down in trip,” said winning trainer Liz Doyle.

“I saw this race and said we’d try her over ‘two-six’. I don’t think they went very quick, though, so she’s probably still a two-and-a-half mare with the boot she shows. I was contemplating going over fences but Frank (Berry) twisted my arm and said we’d keep her over hurdles for the time being.”

Paidi’s Passion (7/2) got off the mark on her second start over fences in the P&D Lydon Mares Beginners Chase.

Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount tracked the leader Hazelhatch Lady before jumping to the front at the second last and stayed on well to comfortably account for Presenting Doyen by six lengths. The homebred daughter of Ocovango is trained by David Christie for Sean Gerard Duke.

Glenmalure finally goes one better

SO often the bridesmaid, particularly at Ballinrobe, Glenmalure Lodge (7/2) finally got her turn when landing the Lodge At Ashford Castle Handicap Chase.

The daughter of Mahler had finished second six times over hurdles, five of which were at the Mayo venue, and made steady headway on the final circuit to lead at the second last. Six and a half lengths was her margin of victory over Kilashee.

Completing a double on the card for absent trainer Philip Rothwell, Glenmalure Lodge is owned by Anne Dowling.

Winning rider Paddy O’Hanlon said: “She had only had one run in a chase last year but took to it there like a duck to water and I’m delighted to get her head in front. She won well, jumped, travelled away and done everything right.”

Rothwell’s double was initiated by Dorans River (6/1) who turned back the clock to record an eighth career win at the age of 13 in the Michael Cawe Suspended Ceilings Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

James O’Sullivan got a great tune out of the veteran, only sixth jumping the last, and he struck the front close home to beat Positive Thinker by three quarters of a length.

O’Sullivan said: “He probably went a little bit off the boil before he came to Philip’s and he’s after sweetening him up and has him back moving very well and he’s just a credit to everyone at home.

“Tom Doran is getting some enjoyment out of seeing one of his old favourites back with a new lease of life.”

The Eye Of Tulla, trained by Brian McMahon for the Windswept Hill Syndicate, readily landed the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase under Gary Noonan.

The 9/2 chance headed the front-running Itsalonglongroad when that rival made a mistake at the penultimate fence and stayed on strongly to beat the pacesetter by eight lengths.

McMahon said: “He’s a miller to jump and two miles is his trip and he likes to bowl along in a nice rhythm.

“I’m full-time training now and am trying to build up the string. I was working as a biochemist but I said I’d have one cut off this training game and really give it my all, so hopefully things will go well and I’ll get my hands on a few nice horses.”