Opportunity awaits Glory To Be at Bellewstown

Michael Grassick’s filly has finished in the first four in all five outings to date and run to a similar level in each of them. A repeat of any of them would be good today, though an extra furlong would be ideal.

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025 - 06:12

Tommy Lyons

A busy afternoon with two meetings to keep Irish racing enthusiasts entertained, and Glory To Be can make the most of a good opportunity in the Johnny Sullivan Memorial Maiden, the fourth race on the Flat card in Bellewstown.

She holds Arklow Lad on earlier form, albeit that was over six furlongs, and she got by him inside the final furlong. Fortunately, she has the best of the draw this afternoon, should be able to take a handy position, and can pick off her old rival in plenty of time to put a first win on her card.

Fleetfootsoldier reserves his best for Dundalk and Bellewstown and the five-year-old, who is having his second run for Natalia Lupini, can get back to winning ways by taking the BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap.

On the National Hunt card in Sligo, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Addragoole can get off the mark over fences by taking the Christy ‘Frosty’ Callaghan Memorial Beginners’ Chase.

Quite well beaten but nonetheless promising on his first start over fences, he contested a Galway beginners’ chase on his second start and ran as well as could be expected to finish runner-up to the classy Rocky’s Diamond.

That was a marked step forward from his first effort and there is no reason he cannot continue to progress. This isn’t the most competitive of races and he can prove strongest at the close of play.

On hurdling form, he has something to find with Sporting Glory, but that rival was out of form when last seen and has something to prove. The market will be the best guide to his claims. That in mind, the luckless Jet Setting Jim is feared most. Nought from six over fences, he was desperately unlucky on his chasing debut but returned to that sort of form when runner-up two outings ago. A faller last time, he will go close if negotiating a clear round.

Jesse Evans has been a real star for connections and the Solar Generation Chase ought to be an exercise in picking up money for the Noel Meade-trained nine-year-old, who will certainly find this easier than when finishing runner-up in the Galway Plate on his most recent outing.

Tommy Lyons' picks:

Bellewstown

1:32 Thru The Gap

2:13 Fleetfootsoldier

2:48 Stormie Outlook

3:23 Glory To Be (nap)

3:58 Emerald Harmony

4:33 Arch Enemy

5:08 Likewhatyousee

Next best

1:32 Glenevies

2:13 Mogwli