Bendanella destroys opposition in maiden

There was just one race meeting in this country yesterday and that was the Ballinaboola point-to-point fixture which took place under the auspices of the Wexford Foxhounds.

On an afternoon that saw eight races, the Donnchadh Doyle-trained Bendanella lit up the meeting for many by destroying the opposition in the fiercely-competitive five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Runner-up on his career debut at Ballydarragh last month, Bendanella (3/1 – 2/1) always travelled smoothly for Andrew Latta with the winning son of Heron Island easing to the front on the approach to the third last of the 15 obstacles. There was only going to be one outcome from two out as Bendanella stayed on stoutly to contain the promising Tisamystery, who finished third to Rockchasebullett on his previous outing at this same venue in November, by two lengths. The well-fancied Moonshine Lad made a serious blunder at the sixth and he was well out of contention when pulling up with six fences remaining.