WHILE it was good to see the Liam Lennon-trained Tammys Hill win the handicap hurdle at Cork on Sunday under Andrew Lynch, it’s sad to think that James Smyth probably won’t be riding his father Patsy’s nine-year-old homebred gelding in the foreseeable future.

Asked by one racegoer at Loughbrickland on Saturday if he was due to ride the Cheltenham Foxhunters winner the following afternoon, James replied: “I’d have to lose two stone, three pounds which isn’t going to happen!” In addition to their Cheltenham success, James partnered Tammys Hill to win five other hunter chases and eight point-to-points.

The appearance of the Smyths’ horse in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal next Saturday will be a huge draw for northern point-to-point fans.

Also entered in the three-mile Grade 1 are the Lois Eadie-bred Bobs Worth and the Pat Sloan-owned Realt Mor.

Down Royal cash warning!

YOU have been warned. There will be women at Down Royal next weekend anxious to separate you from your money but it’s all in a good cause.

Hilary Gibson and a team of friends will be at the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing on Friday and Saturday selling Christmas cards and calendars in aid of the Turf Club’s fund-raising conduit, Irish Injured Jockeys.