REIGNING champions Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill did not enjoy the best of starts to the latest defence of their respective titles when drawing a blank at Toomebridge a day earlier. However, they regained their customary position at the top of the sport’s leader boards thanks to a memorable day that began with the victory of Mr Josiey Wales (5/2-4/1) in the four-year-old maiden.

Mr Josiey Wales and Barry O'Neill jump the last to win the 4YO Maiden race \ Healy Racing

Bred in Co. Armagh by Denis Robb and his son Joseph of Cullaville Stud, who were present to witness the success, the Milan gelding atoned for his non-completion at Dawstown last May, to get the better of newcomer Boothill by three lengths.

Having matched the feat of his half-brother Plus One in winning a four-year-old maiden, the Milestone Racing Partnership-owned gelding, who was pre-trained by dual-purpose jockey Conor Maxwell at Broadleas Stables, will now be offered for sale.

Twelve months on from the victory of Pennyforapound (5/4 even-favourite) in that corresponding four-year-old maiden, the son of Winged Love made his first competitive appearance since, when defying that lengthy absence, and much tougher ground conditions, to preserve his unbeaten record in the winner-of-two contest.

Pennyforapound in the winners enclosure after victory in the Winners Of Two race with (L-R) Pat Nolan, Craig Casey, Jordan Gainford, Barry O'Neill and Colin Bowe \ Healy Racing

The Winged Love gelding getting the better of Oldtown maiden winner Tareeshar by six lengths.

“He won here last year and got injured, but he is a good horse with a nice attitude and will go to the sales now,” said Bowe.

Bowe and O’Neill were immediately back in the number one spot when Do The Job (3-7/2 joint-favourite) got the better of Elmdale to make a winning debut in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Bought at a dispersal of the late Graham Roach’s young stock for £28,000, the Fame And Glory gelding went in plenty of notebooks following the exhibition of jumping that he posed on route to his impressive five-length victory, and he is another of the Milestone Racing Partnership’s winners that will now be offered for sale.

Four-timer for O’Neill

BARRY O’Neill ensured it was a personal four-timer for him, after the concluding older maiden was shared two ways following a dead-heat between his mount Pyrios (6/4 joint-favourite) and the newcomer Babysean (2-3/1), with the pair representing northern handlers David Christie and Caroline McCaldin respectively.

“I had him in Toomebridge yesterday and he stood all day in the box, but I pulled him out just before we were about to saddle him as Barry (O’Neill) said that the ground had gone very heavy,” said Christie of the Ray Nicholas-owned six-year-old.

“He was too early on and was pulling had, but he is a far stronger horse this year. I’ve really been looking forward to him.”

Meanwhile, Dromore-based McCaldin has a nice sort to look forward to as her son of Watar, who carries the colours of her husband Alan, made a winning debut, thanks in a large part to a top-class educational Noel McParlan ride.

“He ran really well there, but he has just had issues in the past. I was hopeful coming here, but I actually thought that it was going to be wetter as it lashed all day yesterday in Toomebridge.

“I am delighted with him today, and we will see how he is in the morning before making a plan,” noted McCaldin.