THERE was plenty of local domination at the Mid-Antrim Harriers meet in Toomebridge which provided an action-packed day for spectators in what was the penultimate weekend of racing in the northern Region.

Local handler Gerald Quinn had an emphatic day as he sent out four winners in the colours of his boss Philip McBurney.

Manhattan Valley (4/1 - 9/2) took the opening division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden. This son of Castle Du Berlais turned the screw most impressively from the back of three out and stayed on strongly right to the line to prevail by a length and a half from runner-up Kap Verte.

This provided the opening leg of a double for Noel McParlan, as he went on to land the first division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Getaway Vic (5/2).

Out of a five-time track winning dam, this son of Getaway quickened smartly from two out, stamping his authority over the favourite and eventual runner-up Walking On A Dream by seven lengths.

“He did it very well, his form read well coming here as the horse that was third (Drumnasoo) at Loughanmore was second to Ballyphilip at Down Royal on Monday, so I fancied him off that,” McParlan said, having sealed a fourth northern title on the afternoon. “He works well and will build on this victory no doubt. He is entered in Doncaster.”

Too easy for Erin

The third leg of the Quinn-McBurney four-timer came in the adjacent maiden as Kells And Connor (5/2 – 6/1) was handed the advantage when his only two rivals exited the contest three out, and this son of Kingston Hill was left to come home in isolation to give Erin Dunseath her second career success.

The final leg of the four-timer saw Dara McGill draw back level with Shane Cotter as they battle for the under-21 title.

Wholly Bolly (4/5 - 5/4 favourite) justified his position at the top of the market in the older geldings’ maiden.

This son of Conduit stepped forward from his debut run in points at Loughanmore, as he quickened most impressively into the straight to return six lengths clear of Kellyiscool.

“That was a very fitting win, the late William Houston bred and owned Wholly Bolly and sadly passed away recently, so it was a nice tribute to him from all the team,” a delighted hander remarked.

“It’s been a brilliant day, one I’ll not forget. To get four winners on the day is great, but to help Noel (McParlan) secure the northern riders title was even better.”

This victory brought the handler his 15th success of the season, his best campaign to date.

Success from the south for Doyle

DONNCHADH Doyle was the only raider from the south that was able to spoil the party for the northern-based handlers as he recorded a double on the day for the Monbeg Syndicate.

Lifetime in Milan (2/1 - 5/2 joint-favourite) initiated the opening leg of this double, as the €48,000 store purchase cut out most of the running and prevailed in a thrilling battle to the line to beat Canal Court by half-a-length in the second division of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Out of a half-sister to Grade 1-winning J’y Vole, his dam also bred Grade 3-winning Lifetime Ambition.

The closing leg of the double came as the racey-looking Belle Wish (3/1 - 6/1) set a relentless gallop from the drop of the flag in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

This daughter of Night Wish really warmed up to her task in the jumping department as she made all.

She held a significant advantage going out on the final circuit and had the remainder of the field well strung out.

Whilst the runner-up Cabra Lady whittled down that advantage to a length and a half at the line this game winner never saw another rival and scored with much conviction under Brian Lawless.

Winning representative Graham Breen stated: “She has done it very well today, Brian gave her a great ride, she jumped fluently and settled lovely staying on gamely to the line. She’ll head to Doncaster now.”

Winged Leader (2/5 - 4/9 favourite) landed the open novice riders’ contest and is proving unstoppable for owners John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane as he recorded his 21st career point success and eighth consecutive victory of the season, putting him three clear in the title race for champion pointer honours.

After watching Shane Cotter guide his charge to a four-length defeat of Er Dancer, David Christie stated: “I really had to think long and hard about running him or not. I came up last night to walk the track, but it’s dried out so much today in that sun. It’s a short tight track which wouldn’t suit him, but his class prevailed.”

HIGH COURT CAVE (7/4 - 11/10 favourite) recorded the fastest time of the day as he landed the second division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

This progressive son of Court Cave looked the most unlikely winner as he met a substantial amount of trouble in running when trying to improve on the final circuit, and as a result still had a ten-length deficit to bridge on the entrance into the home straight.

However, Oran McGill’s perseverance paid dividends, as once getting a clear run down the inner he stayed on gamely to the line to score by half-a-length from Hurricane Pat.

Winning Noel Kelly commented: “Victor McCrea owns him, he is a local man and I’m a local trainer so it’s great to get it.

“Oran said everything went wrong no matter what route he tried to take, and he missed the break at the start – but look it’s racing, these things happen, and his class took him to the front today. We will aim him for the point-to-point bumper at Downpatrick now.”

Horse to Follow:

Orders Anthem (M. Flynn O’Connor): Put in a great performance on debut, as he was holding the advantage on the approach to the last where he made a significant error and was headed on the run to the line to finish third.