Marchese Marconi should prove tough to beat

Marchese Marconi should prove tough to beat in the opening Bellewstown Golf Course Hurdle in Bellewstown today.

The six-year-old Galileo gelding, a four-time winner on the flat, is relatively lightly-raced over hurdles but has performed creditably in recent outings. Winner of his maiden at the Galway Festival last year, Marchese Marconi, with Joseph O’Brien on board, was disputing the lead when unseating his rider at the final flight in a handicap hurdle (won by Sir Scorpion) at Fairyhouse over Easter.

He was then no match for Walk To Freedom in a conditions event at Punchestown but, last time, didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs when finishing a good second to Phantom Prince in a valuable handicap in Ballinrobe. Today’s race looks ideal for the O’Brien runner and he should have the measure of Aminabad and Vercingetorix.