Bell Ex Too

The most striking thing about the recent runs is that they're not disastrous. A fifth last time out, then a seventh, then sixth, then another second, a ninth, and a fifth again — that's uneven, certainly, but not the form of a horse that has lost its way. The second place in that sequence is the real point of interest; it means Bell Ex Too can still mix with winners even if the wins themselves have dried up since Ballinrobe. Trainer R P Cody, based at Dunnamaggin in County Kilkenny, has six winners to his name this season, so there's a functioning yard behind the horse, one that knows how to get horses ready. At three years old, Bell Ex Too has time on its side. The question now is whether a second win comes soon enough to prove that first success was the start of something, rather than a one-off.