ACTION in the northern area in Britain got under way last Saturday with the Ratcheugh Racing Club meeting at Alnwick.

Irish-bred horses won five of the six races with The Mobile Man seeing off his sole rival, Bravehearted Harry, by 12 lengths in the intermediate.

Ridden by Jack Andrews, the eight-year-old Milan gelding, who was recording his fourth success between the flags, is trained by Cherry Coward.

Amie Waugh, who trains the nine-year-old Winged Love gelding for her father Simon, landed the ladies’ open on Winged Crusader while, in the colours of his father Tim, William Thirlby claimed the men’s equivalent on the Kirsty Smith-trained Ardkilly Witness. The 11-year-old Witness Box gelding was having his first start in a British point-to-point.

The biggest field of the day, with 14 runners, faced the starter in the open maiden where the honours went to the Cameron Wadge-partnered Chanceiton who too was making his pointing debut across the water. The six-year-old Vinnie Roe gelding, who is trained by Lucinda Russell for her father Peter, was bred by Barry Ryan out of the dual point-to-point-winning mare Lissnabrucka, a daughter of Lord Americo.

There was a second winner on the day for Witness Box when the Louise Bevin-trained Wayupinthebox just held on to claim the concluding nine-runner restricted. The successful seven-year-old gelding, who was ridden by the trainer’s son Rory, won a maiden at Tallow in February 2016 in the colours of his trainer/breeder Dr Joseph O’Keeffe.

There were also five Irish-bred winners on Sunday when the Cornish season commenced at Wadebridge but here there were eight races with the first division of the open maiden being split again on the day.

Both parts went to Irish-breds with Tom Chanin landing the first on Broadclyst who is trained by his father Robert. The five-year-old Ask gelding, who had pulled up on his only previous start at Black Lodge in January, was bred in Co Tipperary by Elizabeth Grant out of the Broadsword mare Broadcast, dam previously of the five-time track winner Kilronan High (by Mountain High).

Riding for his trainer father Guy, Ed Henderson landed part two on the Kalanisi gelding It Has To Be. The six-year-old, who ran here for Enda Bolger, was bred by Godfrey Moylan out of the Exit To Nowhere mare Amathea.

It Has To Be’s four-year-old half-brother by Flemensfirth, Rath An Iuir, was a £100,000 graduate of last month’s Tattersalls Ireland Sale at Cheltenham following his win in a Loughrea maiden in October for the Colin Bowe yard. The pair are siblings of seven track winners including the blacktype performer My Hometown (by Presenting).

The opening conditions race for veteran and novice riders was won by the 13-year-old Witness Box gelding Mic’s Delight, who was ridden by Millie Wonnacott for owner/trainer Jennifer Davenport, and Premier Portrait recorded his 12th point-to-point victory from just 19 starts when landing the men’s open. The 10-year-old Portrait Gallery gelding, who also has four track wins to his credit, was ridden by Gus Levinson for his trainer father Charles.

The Woollacott horses are in good form and Kayley saddled her second winner of the season when The Kings Writ landed the intermediate. The six-year-old Brian Boru gelding was ridden by Josh Newman.

Sunday saw the conclusion of the short British ‘autumn’ season. The 2017/2018 action is set to resume on Friday, December 29th at Chaddesley Corbett.

Aghabullogue registration date

A festive season reminder for those who wish to have runners at the Muskerrys’ fixture at Aghabullogue on Sunday, January 7th is that the registration date is Monday next, December 18th.

Handlers planning to run horses at either Killeagh or Tinahely on Sunday, January 14th should ensure that certificates are lodged by noon on Tuesday, January 2nd.