NORTHERN handler Warren Ewing enjoyed a double on the afternoon at Kirkistown, continuing his good run of form, resulting in four winners from his last six runners. Tango Theatre (7/4 - 5/2) provided the opening leg of the brace with Stephen Connor doing the steering.

Second on her last start at Tyrella, the daughter of King’s Theatre quickened readily off the front to atone for Ringneill by seven lengths in the pink and yellow colours of her handler.

“My horses just weren’t right last season. They have just come right now and are running well. This is a good mare, so it’s onwards and upwards for her. We will sell her now I would imagine,” said Ewing.

Will Carver (5/1 - 6/1) was one of five winners on the afternoon to secure a front-running success, bringing up the double for owner/handler Warren Ewing in the process.

Ridden on this occasion by Jordan Gainford, the imposing son of Califet showed an impressive turn of foot in the closing stages to come home six lengths in front of God Knows Why.

The successful handler was once again on hand to say: “He enjoyed it out in front and jumped well there. He is an honest type, he was just a bit unlucky the last day, but showed a nice bit of speed there. He will head on to one of the sales now.”

Errors

Simon Cavanagh rode his fourth winner for Cormac Farrell when Holymacapony (6/1 - 5/1) took the opening four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Cormac Farrell sent out Holymacapony (Simon Cavanagh) to win the four-year-old geldings’ maiden \ Healy Racing

Providing his sire Libertarian with his first winner between-the-flags, the front-runner survived a couple of notable errors to see-off the attentions of Grady Hollow by seven lengths.

Sporting the colours of Kilkenny owner George Williams, the winner will now likely be sold. “This is a lovely horse; he is a real athlete and stays all day. I am delighted for the lads that own him, they have some lovely horses with me,” commented the Wexford handler.

O’Neill double

Barry O’Neill also enjoyed a double at the North Down fixture, opening his account aboard Winged Leader (1/1 - 4/5 favourite) in the open. This was certainly a well-deserved success for the six-year-old, who had finished second on six of his previous seven starts.

Sporting the S.J. Hegarty colours, the Winged Love gelding also made much of the running, before battling on gamely to beat Chosen Dream by seven and a half lengths at the line.

Trained by the absent David Christie, the bay will likely continue to contest opens and maiden hunter chases for the remainder of the season.

Odds-on favourite Mt Leinster Gold (1/2 favourite) brought up the double for Barry O’Neill when taking the mares’ winner-of-two. Now a three-time winner, the daughter of Gold Well found plenty for pressure in the closing stages to overhaul the long-time leader Double Smart who rallied gamely to the line.

Trained by the absent Colin Bowe, the six-year-old is owned by Anthony Kearns, who was on hand to comment: “We are delighted to get the hat-trick, she has been well minded and we gave her all the time she needed. She isn’t for sale; we are just enjoying her for the moment. It’s fantastic as she was bred by my good friend Ronan Tynan who still has the dam.”

Advantage

The concluding older maiden went to the Colin McBratney-trained Dento Des Obeaux, who recorded a wide margin success in the hands of Ross McLeigh. Having previously been trained by Willie Mullins, the free-going grey quickly opened up a clear advantage over the field.

Dento Des Obeaux was an easy winner by 20 lengths in the hands of Ross McLeigh \ Healy Racing

The seven-year-old was not for catching inside the final mile, eventually coming home 20 lengths to the good of Airdrigh.

Afterwards successful owner Liam Gibney said: “My son rides out for Colin McBratney and I bought this lad from him. We will enjoy today and maybe think about a winners’ race after this. I know this might only be an older maiden, but when you have been in this game as long as I have, it means a lot.”

Native River’s breeder cheering Newbury win

NORTHERN based breeder Fred Mackey was certainly grateful for Franco Hughes televising the day’s racing under rules as he was able to witness his homebred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River take the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury during the afternoon.

Sold by Mackay as a foal for €6,000, the son of Indian River made his debut in point-to-points when falling at the last at Dromahane in 2014, before going on to win 13 of his 26 starts under rules for Colin Tizzard.

Declarations and results well displayed to public

THE North Downs must be commended for their very efficient and effective conveyance of information to both participants and members of the public on the day. Both declarations and results were clearly on display as soon as they were available both inside and outside the weigh tent for all to see.

Irish Tenors find Gold

TWO of the three Irish Tenors featured in the afternoon’s racing following the success of Mt Leinster Gold in the mares’ winners’ race. The six-year-old is owned by one of the trio, Anthony Kearns, who was present to witness the victory, and the daughter of Gold Well is also bred by another member of the singing group, Ronan Tynan.