THE second day of the Fermanagh Harrier’s point-to-point at Necarne usually brings down the curtain on the Northern region season but it is not the case this year as the Route Hunt are due to hold the final fixture this weekend.

The easy to back Howling Milan (5/2-4/1 co-favourite) entered many notebooks as one to follow as the James Doyle-trained gelding went one better than on his debut at Ballysteen in the Dennison Commercials Ltd four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Partnered by Harley Dunne, the pair set a blistering tempo from the start and when challenged by the Denis Murphy-trained Our Bubba, the winner stayed on in determined fashion, going clear to record an impressive six-length success in the colours of owner Jason Higgins.

Entered at the Goffs Punchestown Sale following his debut effort, the son of Milan remained unsold for €75,000 and the decision paid off as he looks a progressive type and will be in demand following this success. Acquired for €42,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale last year, Howling Milan is out of a half-sister to the former Martin Pipe-trained Grade 1 winner Tresor De Mai.

Doyle remarked: “We know he has plenty of ability and he done it well today. Harley judged the pace and done everything right. He is a lovely horse who jumps and stays well but also showed he can go the quicker pace too. He could turn into a decent staying chaser in time.” He also indicated that his winner will head to the Doncaster Sale during the week.

Dermot McLoughlin enjoyed his fourth winner of the season as Leo’s Destination (4/5-1/1-4/6 favourite) made a winning debut under Lar O’Carroll in the Wright Concrete six-year-old geldings’ maiden. With only two of the 12 entries starting the match-race turned into an eventful affair as the David Christie-trained Hatari refused the second fence under Barry O’Neill.

Leo’s Destination was left a long way clear as O’Neill’s mount jumped the fence at the second attempt and set off in pursuit taking over on the final circuit and holding a two-length advantage at the penultimate fence. O’Carroll asked the Dubai Destination gelding for an effort before the last and he duly responded to join issue at the final fence when Hatari fell leaving the newcomer to finish alone.

Winning owner Heather Scott commented of her homebred who is out of dual point’s winner Lavender Lily: “It’s a credit to Dermot (McLoughlin) to have this horse where he is. Lar did a great job and kept calm when being left alone. He had to work at the end but was always doing enough. We will see how he is before we decide what to do next.”

DRIVE

Marshall Watson’s former pointer and hunter chase winner He Knows My Name was narrowly denied in a handicap chase at Downpatrick the previous evening, however Celtic Thunder (4/1-7/2) benefited from a strong drive from owner/rider Daire McConville to land the Richard Trimble sponsored adjacent winners’ race.

David Christie’s Corella Creek was sent off the short priced favourite in this four-runner event and moved closer to the leader Celtic Thunder going well at the third last. The four-time points winner Corella Creek failed get her head in front before the last as the Definite Article gelding stayed on in determined fashion to pull three lengths clear at the finish.

The Killyleagh based handler Watson said: “he hasn’t run up to the level that saw him win at Armagh and we freshened him up after his last run. Daire gave him a great ride and he just kept finding more. He could head to the sales or if not sold will go for a hunter chase.’’

Barry O’Neill extended his advantage at the head of the Northern region riders’ title race following the success of Vinnie Luck (3/1-4/1) in the Combilift open lightweight race where all four runners had been victorious on their previous outing.

A welcomed change of fortune for local handler David Christie following the defeats of Hatari and Corella Creek, the Vinnie Roe gelding recorded his third successive win.

Milan Flyer was sent for home four out under Paddy McGuigan, but Bon O’Neill moved closer on Vinnie Luck at the penultimate fence and soon went to the front and posted a three length success from Bridgets Pet.

“He has been an improving horse and the better ground suited him. We will keep going in opens and possibly take in the Listowel hunter chase,” reported the winning handler.

SUPPORTED

In a race which saw the largest field of the day going to post, with 11 horses facing the starter, Mark O’Hare made his only mount of the day a winning one, aboard the heavily supported Brian Hamilton-trained Hillary John (5/2-4/6 favourite) in the concluding Killyhevlin Hotel seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Looking a different class to the rest of the field, the son of Gamut led from the third fence and went clear before the last to record a 10-length win in striking fashion.

Owned by Downpatrick native Paul Burns, who works for Lambourn-based trainer Clive Cox, he purchased the lightly raced seven-year-old privately and sent him to Brian Hamilton to run in points. “The plan was to run him today and he done the job well. He will learn a lot from that and we will probably head to the track with him now.”

Derek O’Connor also tasted victory on his only ride of the day in the ITBA mares’ three winner on Sliabh Mhuire Lass (6/4-4/6 favourite).

COMFORTABLE

Formerly owned by the late Michael Brennan, who sadly passed away before Christmas, the Grandera mare returned a comfortable winner to record her third success of the season.

The winning handler Paurick O’Connor remarked: “I was a little worried about the ground, but she handled it fine. She won well there again and could head to the mares’ open in Ballingarry the bank holiday weekend.”

James awarded

leading rider prize

ROB James was presented with the leading rider prize sponsored by Killyhevlin Hotel, Health Club & Spa at Necarne notching up three winners on the scoreboard on the Friday evening of the two-day fixture. His first winner came onboard the Pat Doyle-trained Miss Batten in the second division of the four-year-old mares’ maiden. He went on to team up with Wexford handler Colin Bowe on Morraman and Cushinstown Finest, which was enough to secure the leading rider prize from Lar O’Carroll and Barry O’Neill on two winners each.