THE 10-hour round trip proved worthwhile for handler Colin Bowe who saddled Askinvillar (4/1) to success in the second division of the four-year-old maiden.
Providing Barry O’Neill with the opening leg of a treble, the Milestone Racing Partnership-owned gelding made every post a winning one before seeing off the attentions of Keep Em Lit in the closing stages to win by six lengths.
The Wexford handler said: “He had a lovely first run when he finished third. Barry (O’Neill) said he settled great today and finished his race very well. He is by a good stallion in Jeremy and he will have a nice future on the track.”
On The Sod (7/2 - 5/1) provided O’Neill with his second winner of the afternoon when coming out on top in a photo finish with Samurai Cracker to win by a short-head. The son of Ask was purchased privately over the summer by owner/handler David Christie and was having his first start in almost a year.
“He loves that tough ground, he just gallops and stays. He jumped well today and Barry thought he would come on a lot from that. We were in against good hardened winner horses and we should be able to have a bit of fun with him,” commented Christie.
O’Neill completed his treble in the open, courtesy of the Ray Nicholas-owned Dylrow (5/1 - 4/1) who also brought up a double for the Christie yard in the process. Having his first start between the flags, the former three-time track winner certainly established himself as a leading open horse for the season when seeing off Mighty Stowaway by four lengths.
The Fermanagh handler commented: “I love this horse and I think he will be much better on nicer ground, he really dug deep today to win. We have one eye on the Aintree Foxhunters with him because he has good form over two miles.”
Jim Dreaper took the concluding older maiden as Trimmers Lane (7/2 - 4/1) made his first start for the yard a winning one by a comfortable two lengths under Jamie Codd.
Owned by Leon Tormey, the nine-year-old was making a return to the point-to-point sphere after a spell under rules and had no issue in overcoming the long-time leader Danjaman in the closing stages.
“This is a lovely old horse, his first run of his life was a great run when he was third around Borris. I spotted him down in Wexford in the parade ring during the summer when we had a runner and we bought him privately after that,” said Tom Dreaper, son of the winning handler.
“He is on to a new home now, he is rated 80 so he should be a fun horse for England on the track.”
JAMIE Sloan enjoyed a dream start to his training career since taking over the reins from Ian Ferguson, with his first runner of the season, Gallyhill (6/1 - 5/1), running out an impressive winner of the opening division of the four-year-old maiden. Ridden by Noel McParlan, the imposing son of Getaway carried Wilson Dennison’s colours to a two and a half-length success over Ballybegg on what was his debut.
“That’s a great start. We gave this lad a good summer to mature and it has paid dividends. I was quietly confident coming here today and it all went to plan. I would imagine he will be sold now,” commented the successful handler.
The five-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of Lowtown Boy (6/1 - 7/1), providing Noel McParlan with a double on the afternoon in the process. Having his fourth start, the son of Scorpion had his task made slightly easier by the departure of three of his rivals during the contest, however, to his credit, the Hayley Haughey-owned gelding stuck resolutely to his task in the closing stages to see off Big Leg Up by two and a half lengths.
“He had few runs last year when my horses weren’t right, he is a big horse and he just needed a good summer break. I think he is a nice horse for the track. We will probably sell him now,” commented winning handler Liam Lennon.
Paddy Turley saddled his second winner of the season courtesy of Double Smart (2/1 - 7/4 favourite) who enjoyed a well deserved success in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden having been brought down when at the final fence on her last start at Damma House.
Sporting the colours of Andrew Pearson, the daughter of Flemensfirth was never too far away from the pace under Declan Lavery, before going on to secure a six-length victory over Killimorrie.
“She was very unlucky at Damma House the last day, we thought she would nearly win the first day in Toomebridge as well and the form of that race has held up rightly. Today was competitive with five horses finishing second last time out so we are delighted. She will go for a winners’ race next,” commented Turley.
Horse to follow
Getaway Lucy (CA McBratney): Made a very promising debut to finish a respectable fifth in what looked quite a competitive mares’ maiden.
News
Good spread
THE North Down committee must be commended for the wide selection of snacks on offer in the weigh tent, for both handlers and jockeys alike, who were very much appreciative of the effort made by the hunt to ensure everybody was well fed on a cold winter’s afternoon.
Tributes for Walker
PLENTY of tributes were paid to the recently retired clerk of the scales Fred Walker for his stellar work over the years. Jeffery Moorhead and his daughter have taken over the mantle, and after an incident-free afternoon, Fred can rest assured that his former role has been left in good hands.
Ferguson and Hall Thompson still a fixture
A COPY of the results from the North Down Foxhounds fixture at Comber back in 1977 was included in the race card which proved very fitting on the afternoon, as two of the key organisers of Kirkistown’s three annual fixtures, Hugh Ferguson and Colin Hall Thompson, featured in those results from over 40 years ago.
Both former riders were certainly kept busy in their respective roles in the weigh tent on what was a busy afternoon.