Gino Bello can complete hat-trick at Killarney
Gino Bello justified 100-30 favouritism when winning at Mallow on August 3. Pic: Healy Racing
The GMIB Handicap Hurdle is the feature race on day one of Killarney’s three-day August festival and the in-form Gino Bella may be able to lead her rivals a merry dance again to complete a fine hat-trick.
The Patrick Foley-trained mare was an impressive winner of a 23-runner handicap hurdle at Cork in July before again justifying 100-30 favouritism when making all on her return to Mallow earlier this month.
An 8lb hike for her most recent success makes life harder but Gino Bella is clearly on great terms with herself at present and could take pegging back if she’s allowed to dictate from the front.
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Her biggest threat is likely to come from Fiveonefive, another horse who must overcome an 8lb rise for his gutsy success at Galway last time out.
The Cian Collins-trained eight-year-old looks sure to put up another bold show but he may not be able to get past Gino Bella.
Diamond Du Berlais gets the vote in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle.
Victorious at Ludlow on her first start for Willie Mullins, the five-year-old ran a big race at a big price to finish sixth in the Grade Two Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Her two runs since, including at this venue last month, have been underwhelming but, upped in trip, this looks a good opportunity for Diamond Du Berlais to get back to winning ways.
Harmani can make a winning start to life over obstacles in the opening race, the Sheahan's Pharmacy 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
Victorious on the Flat for Ger Lyons at Down Royal in May, the Phoenix Of Spain gelding makes his first start for Gordon Elliott on Thursday and is fancied to deliver in the hands of Jack Kennedy.
Thursday’s Flat fare comes from Leopardstown where the most appealing bet comes in the opening race, the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, where the Aidan O’Brien-trained So Lovely is fancied to make it third time lucky.
4.35 Harmani
5.08 Gino Bella (Nap)
5.43 Diamond Du Berlais (NB)
6.13 Affinity Rock
6.45 Ladies Well
7.15 Gaelic Des Chastys
7.45 Crowsatedappletart
8.15 Iron Sword
4.35 Sea Of Dubka
5.08 Fiveonefive
5.43 Local News
6.13 Lemmy Caution
6.45 Western Model
7.15 Illtakehimmyself
7.45 Femme Magnifique
8.15 Killeedy
4.56 So Lovely
5.27 Banks Of The Boyne
6.00 Faoladh
6.30 Cannes
7.00 Pavilion End
7.30 Goddess Of War
8.00 Thrifty Of Digby
4.56 Zenith Blaze
5.27 Togetherwearefree
6.00 La La Lucrative
6.30 Abbotsford
7.00 Ben Hur
7.30 Holy Lettuce
8.00 Bella Colombia
