THE East Down Foxhounds hosted their second fixture of the season at the seaside venue of Tyrella.

Unfortunately, the fixture was cut short when two of the ambulances had to depart the track before the second contest, leaving insufficient ambulance cover for racing to proceed. As a result, the remainder of the fixture had to be abandoned.

Seven four-year-olds lined up for what proved to be the sole race of the day, six of whom were newcomers, where the sole northern representative Lazare Combo (4/1 - 3/1) triumphed for Warren Ewing and Oran McGill.

Acquired for £9,000 at Goffs UK in May 2024, this son of up-and-coming sire Chanducoq is out of a half-sister to the multiple-winner Jupiter Rex, who won seven consecutive races for Venetia Williams.

Lazare Combo proved to be great value for connections here, as the embryonic chasing type took the lead from the drop of the flag. He showed great professionalism throughout, quickening smartly before two-out, where he put in a brilliant jump and displayed a sharp turn of foot to win by two lengths from the staying-on The Launderer.

“He is a lovely horse,” Ewing remarked. “I’ve always liked him, and he worked well at home. He jumps very well. He’s by an up-and-coming sire, Chanducoq. He’ll now head to the festival sale, where, hopefully, he will sell well.”

Kings Order (D. Doyle): He looked destined for runners-up honours when cruelly exiting at the last. A half-brother to the nine-time winner Leapaway, this was an unfortunate outcome for the son of Order Of St George. He will be one to watch next time out.