Brazen Belle too good for Beverley rivals

David O’Meara notches another juvenile win.

Brazen Belle justified favouritism in the Beverley Racecourse Thanks The NHS Maiden Auction Fillies’ Stakes for David O’Meara.

O’Meara has made a good start with his juveniles and was registering his third winner from just six runners.

Brazen Belle, a daughter of Great St Wilfrid winner Pepper Lane, used the rail to her advantage and despite looking as if she had a fight on her hands through two different challengers, the 5-2 favourite pulled out more to beat Miss Milby by a neck.

“It was her first day at school so understandably she was a bit green, but Danny (Tudhope) thought she won with a bit up her sleeve,” said O’Meara.

“She lugged a fair way off the rail so in the end it was grand that she won.

“She qualifies for two bonuses which is nice, so we’ll see where we go from here.

“We’ve got some nice two-year-olds and they’ve started off well.”

Magical Spirit looks a sprinter to follow given the way he shot clear to win the Pure Broadband Handicap.

Kevin Ryan’s four-year-old had won three of his 10 starts already and began this season on a mark of 82.

Magical Spirit clears away to win impressively
Magical Spirit clears away to win impressively (Dan Abraham)

There were plenty in with chances on entering the final furlong, but the 7-2 favourite soon put the race to bed under Kevin Stott, beating Afandem by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’s progressed from last year, he’s a bit bigger and stronger,” said Stott.

“He travelled lovely, he was a bit slowly away but I got a lovely spot and a nice lead into it.

“When I wanted him to, he quickened away well and he did it with ease.”

Jedd O’Keeffe finally got off the mark since the resumption of racing as Only Alone caused a 25-1 shock in the first division of the Beverley Racecourse Applauds Essential Workers Novice Stakes.

Dundalk winner George Cornelius was sent off the odds-on favourite on his first run for Karl Burke, but he found disappointingly little and faded out of the frame.

Only Alone sprinted clear down the middle of the track under Paul Mulrennan to beat Shark by three and a half lengths.

O’Keeffe said: “I’m really pleased for Paul because he rode her on debut and when he got off he said she’d win next time, but she disappointed at the end of the season.

“We didn’t think we’d beat the hotpot but thought she’d run well, so we’re delighted to get our first winner.

“Lockdown was hard, we kept on getting the horses ready then easing off them as the date kept changing.

“We had a few run a little below-par last week, but we had one run well yesterday and now we’re off the mark so hopefully things have taken a turn.

“I must thank all the owners, they’ve had to be very patient so hopefully now they can be rewarded.”

Nigel Tinkler’s Annangel was an even bigger price in the second division when winning at 80-1.

Well beaten at Newcastle on the first day of racing’s resumption, she looked a different proposition with that run under her belt, beating Silver Sniper by three and three-quarter lengths under Rowan Scott.

“We’re pleased to be back racing, let’s say!” said Tinkler.

“She’ll probably go to the sales now.”

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