While most of Monmore Green was celebrating the track’s 90th birthday, one of its trainers was sat in the restaurant screaming at her phone. But all ended well for Kim Billingham as Ballymac Miscula held off the mighty Donation to go unbeaten through the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove.
The strapping Miscula, who had started at 25-1 the ’17 decider when still a pup, executed a carefully planned campaign with a faultless front running display. In what was only ever a two-runner buckle, Miscula clocked her fastest sectional of the event and then held on from the relentless challenge of Donation to prevail by half a length in 30.00 (-20).
Kim said: “I had 13 runners at Monmore so couldn’t make the trip. Most of the races were being shown on the tellies in the restaurant but for some reason, the Brighton Belle Final wasn’t. So I watched it on my phone.
“We had planned ahead for this competition and everything went just as we had hoped. She is in great form, had perfect trap draws and took full advantage. At the third corner, I thought we had won it, but you can’t take anything for granted with a bitch like Donation behind you. Thankfully our bitch held on in a really great performance.
“I know the owners all had a brilliant time at Hove, but we opened a bottle of champagne of our own. Miscula is a lovely bitch, who never does anything wrong, and probably the easiest dog in the kennel to train. We had plans to run in the Oaks, but with that in doubt, I don’t really know what’s next with her.”
Connections of the Brighton Belle winner with the message “Thanks to headman Tom Faulkner for 4 trips to Hove. Long drives. He’s good lad.”
