Rebellito Works for the victory
ROAN WHELAN steered Rebellito to victory in the featured Listowel Printing Works Handicap yesterday.
Backed in to 11-1 from 16s, the grey was tucked in behind the leaders before taking up the pace after turning for home, staying on well to beat the Yafordadoe (22/1) and Port Sunlight (8/1).
The Susannah Ricciowned seven-year- old gelding had scored twice on the level in France as a three-yearold but hadn’t been placed since joining Willie Mullins the following year.
“He did it well,” explained Whelan. “He ran a good race for a long way the last day in Leopardstown and speaking to Willie this morning he said that’s not as good as he is and that he’d improve for that.
“He jumped and I got a nice run around. We didn’t go overly mad and he actually has quite a gear.
“The last day at Leopardstown he travelled everywhere for me and I was happy enough he had a little change of gear.
Sooner
“I was probably there a little bit sooner than I’d like. He came on from the last day and might come on again from that.”
The Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap went to 3-1 favourite Is That Love, piloted by 7lb claimer Cian MacRedmond.
The victory notched up a sixth win in handicap company this year for the four-year- old gelding, all at the hands of MacRedmond.
He tracked the leaders on the inside and when a gap opened between Wee Pablo and Earls in the final furlong, Is That Love was squeezed through to beat the latter by two and a half lengths.
Trainer Ado McGuinness said: “I nearly have to thank handicapper Gary O’Gorman for this win as he put him up 4lb for being third the other day so I was forced to run him today.
“I saw the ground was A little dead but I knew he’d like it. Cian gave him A super ride, he’s lost his 7lb claim now.”