Dettori defends Barney Curley crown at storm-hit Bellewstown
Annual charity event cut short ‘in jumping weather’.
Frankie Dettori enjoyed a convincing victory over Willie Mullins in a storm-reduced Barney Curley Charity Cup at Bellewstown. Despite free admission being sponsored by the Irish National Bookmakers Association, it was only the hardiest of racegoers who braved treacherous conditions caused by Storm Agnes. However, they were rewarded with a competitive afternoon of action on a day organised to help raise funds for the Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA) charity championed by the late Curley.“I take my hat off to them and the staff and the guys taking the horses (around) and the horses themselves. It is a good effort. “We raised money at golf yesterday and today we are racing. This day in the calendar is set in stone.” Mullins had hoped the wind and rain would suit his squad, declaring: “We are going to win – this is jumping weather!” But Team Dettori established a 31-10 lead after the opening contest and that proved enough for victory as the second leg fell to deteriorating ground conditions, along with the day’s seventh and final event.
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