Bella Isabella

She is trained by D K Weld at Curragh, Co Kildare, one of Irish racing's most respected yards, which has already sent out 21 winners this season alone. That kind of operation does not enter horses without a plan, and the plan with Bella Isabella appears to be keeping her at a distance that suits her. Over 7 furlongs to a mile, she has won 2 of her 6 races — a 33% win rate, or 1 in every 3 — which is a sharp improvement on her record elsewhere and tells you clearly where she is most dangerous.

Her most recent win came at Leopardstown on 4 June, just five weeks ago, so she arrives at this stage of the season in form and apparently thriving. Her first win came at Cork back in April 2025, and the progression between the two suggests a horse that has been learning and improving with experience. Her regular partner in the saddle is Chris Hayes, who has ridden her in 6 of her 10 races and was aboard for the Leopardstown success — winning 1 from their 6 outings together at a rate of roughly 1 in 6, though the fact that the partnership's biggest result came most recently is an encouraging sign of things clicking into place.

Her recent form — a win, then a blank run, then a fifth, and finishes of tenth and sixth before that — is a little mixed, but a winner just five weeks ago is a horse in the conversation, not one on the slide. Bella Isabella looks like a mare who has found her level and, crucially, found the trips that bring the best out of her.