THERE was some thrilling action at Saturday’s Route Harriers meeting at Portrush, even if there were just 30 runners at this blustery coastal venue.

Torrential downpours on Saturday morning resulted in testing conditions for all six newcomers that went to post for the four-year-old maiden where Monbeg Partnership’s Banter At The Bar (6/4 - 2/1) got the better of the favourite Cobbler’s Boy (6/4- 7/4 favourite) in the hands of Jamie Scallan.

He was giving a patient ride in mid-division and when asked to throw down his challenge, he picked up impressively between the final two obstacles to join long-time leader and eventual runner-up Cobbler’s Boy at the back of the last. He asserted impressively on the flat to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“I thought an awful lot of this horse, coming here all his work has been good, so I thought it would take a good one to beat him; he won well in what seemed like a decent race. He is out of an extremely talented mare and will head to the sales now,” stated winning handler Sean Doyle of the son of the Grade 1-winning mare J’y Vole.

First of two

The five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden went the way of the Donnchadh Doyle-trained favourite Lucky Lioness (7/4 - 13/8 favourite) providing Rob James with his first of two winners on the card.

This daughter of Lucky Speed has shown steady progression on her two previous starts, taking a further step forward from her Borris House fourth-placed effort at the beginning of the month to land this contest from the ever-determined Townhill Lass.

These two mares disputed the running for the majority of the contest, with the Micheal Murphy-owned five-year-old mare asserting her authority from the back of the last to score by three lengths. “She’s a very tough mare who came on loads for her last run. She is owned locally by Michael Murphy who rides her out every morning himself so he’ll get a good kick out of this. She will be a lovely mare for the track going forwards,” reported Sean Doyle representing his brother Donnchadh.

The winners’ of two contest went the way of the Wilson Dennison-owned Ballyphilip to complete a double on the card for Noel McParlan.

This son of Presenting continues his upward trajectory and despite giving his supporters some cause for alarm when running down the final obstacle, he was very much in command winning in convincing fashion from Kirkistown maiden winner Victor Tango.

“He was brilliant there - he’s progressive so I’m excited to see how far he will go,” handler Caroline McCaldin said.

“He will continue in points for now. All the horses are running great at the minute so long may it continue.”

TAKT De Toques (6/4 - evens favourite) initiated the opening leg of a double for the in-form handler Gerald Quinn and stable jockey Noel McParlan.

This son of Walzertakt was the form choice and stepped forward from his previous second-placed effort at Farmacaffley, to getting the better of the persistent newcomer Ballybow, who got on terms before the final obstacle to provide spectators with a thrilling finish.

The pair battled right to the line, but it was the Philip McBurney-owned €60,000 Land Rover Sale purchase that justified his favourite’s tag by getting the upper hand by a neck.

Quinn stated: “He’s always done nice work at home and came on for his second-placed run at Armagh on his previous outing.

“I’m delighted he got his head in front here. He seems like a progressive sort and will now head to the sales.”

Testing conditions

An already excellent afternoon got even better for Quinn, as Glencorp (7/4 - 5/2) and Shane Cotter were the only combination able to withstand the testing conditions of the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden to come home alone in the colours of Kieran McKay.

A blistering gallop was set from the drop of the flag in this novice riders’ contest as Glencorp and Ballybit took each other on getting almost 30 lengths clear of the reminder of the field at the half-way point.

Josies Dylan and Myleno had both moved into contention on the approach to four out when crashing out independently, while Ballybit exited at the next having felt the effects of the early pace. This drama left the the son of Ocovango, who had finished second on debut at Kirkistown, as the only horse left running, and jumping the last like a fresh horse, he returned alone and connections indicated that he would now be offered for sale.

THE near legendary Winged Leader (4/7 favourite), who boasts an impressive profile, tallied his 16th point success as he cruised to an easy victory in this open contest.

This 10-year-old son of Winged Love has been a great servant to owners John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane.

He jumped from fence to fence like the professional he is, annihilating the opposition while clocking the fastest time of the day to score by an eased down 15 lengths over previous course victor Jay Bee Why.

“He’s just a real legend of a horse, he’s been in great form the last while, looking very well and strong of himself.” Christie said.

“Barry [O’Neill] said when he got off him in Galway last time that he felt like he was riding a Winged Leader of old, and today Rob [James] got off him and said he felt like a young horse, so it’s really nice to see him thriving.

“He’ll probably continue in opens but I will give him an entry in the Joseph O’Reilly Hunter Chase.”

Ballybow (C. Abernethy): A €90,000 Derby sale purchase, this five-year-old’s dam is a half-sister to top two-mile hurdler Hurricane Fly.

This was a very creditable performance from the son of Flemensfirth on debut as he made nice progress to join the eventual winner before the last and lost nothing in defeat, as he battled gamely to the line to go down by a neck in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.