Alan Mahon

THE East Down Hunt held there second point-to-point of the season at the scenic venue of Tyrella last Saturday. Mark O’Hare was the jockey in form at the Co Down venue, recording a hat-trick to extend his advantage in the lead of the Northern championship.

His first success came in the Armstrong Auctions five and six-year-old mares’ maiden on board the Jerry Cosgrave-trained Isn’t She Lovely (5-8/1). The Winged Love mare, who was bred by owner Pauline Whitten, led from flag fall and was never headed throughout to come home with four lengths to spare over the favourite Alkajazz (7/4 favourite).

The winning handler commented afterwards: “She jumped unreal and never put a foot wrong from start to finish. She got a nice soft easy lead there today. She is a typical Winged Love – she needed time and some decent ground. I think she will go for a mares’ winners’ race next.”

O’Hare’s second winner came in the Lagan Construction Group winner of three race on board Clondaw Frisby (4/5 favourite), providing Cosgrave with a brace of wins. The victor, who is owned by the local Carnglave syndicate, was very fortunate to score here as his main market rival, Shake It Up (2/1) looked destined to triumph holding a clear advantage, when falling at the last.

“The tacky ground didn’t really suit him but sometimes you need a bit of luck. I think he will probably run at the hunter chase in Downpatrick on March 20th,” remarked Cosgrave of his fortuitous winner.

Owner-handler Eamon McCann provided Mark O’Hare with his final winner of the treble when taking the confined hunt winners race on-board Whinstone Dee (6/4). Only four runners went to post in this local contest and O’Hare easily accounted for his nearest rival and 2014 winner News For Pascal (5/4 favourite) by seven lengths. Following his success McCann said: “I’d like to thank Jerry Cosgrave and James Black for the use of their facilities. Whinstone Dee has plenty of ability and hopefully there will be a few more races in him.”

FIRST WIN

The Turf Club six-year-old and upwards maiden race for novice riders provided Mark McCrory with his initial points’ success on board Lisnagreggan (5-8/1). The 21-year-old, from Portadown in Co Armagh, always had the William Gault-handled gelding to the fore and coaxed his mount enough to fend off the late challenge of Sarsfields Legend by a neck at the line.

This was McCrory’s first ride of the season but he rode a number of times for the CAFRE Enniskillen College throughout the 2014/15 season when he studying there. The winning handler William Gault from Randalstown, Co Antrim said: “He could run again in Loughanmore but he needs better ground. Mark schooled a horse for me a few weeks ago and I told him I would give him a spin.’’

The most impressive winner of the day was the Stuart Crawford-trained and Ben Crawford-ridden Kilinakin (3/1) in the Albert Bartlett five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden. The Definite Article gelding travelled strongly down the back straight to track the leader and improved effortlessly into the lead before the last to win easily by five lengths from the debutant Pinch Of Ginger (4-6/1).

Kilinakin is a half-brother to Ballymacahillcross, who has been placed twice in hurdles and over fences and is from the same family as Fiddling The Facts, a winner of four races including the Grade 1 Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton.

“He was very unlucky the last day in Kirkistown, I couldn’t say if he would have won but he was putting it up to Dreaper’s horse (Sizingdowntherhine). Our horse has improved through all recognition the last month or so. He’s only a six-year-old and that was only his third run so there should be plenty of improvement still to come. Ultimately he is for sale but we could run again,” commented the winning handler.

DRAMATIC

The Colin Bowe-trained Newtown Craig (3-8/1) won a dramatic opening four-year-old maiden race sponsored by Dennison Commercials. Seven runners were declared to race and with all horses still holding chances approaching the third last fence. The race then changed complexion as four horses fell independently of each other, leaving the Barry O’Neill and Newtown Craig with a slight advantage. The winner battled on determinedly to hold off the challenge of the second placed Ballyward (4-8/1) by two and a half lengths.

Newtown Craig is the first winner out of Form A Circle, who was unsuccessful in three runs on the track. He is from the same family as prolific winners Cooldine and Brackenfield. He was bred by Walter Crean from Adamstown, Co Wexford, who is also part of the winning Milestone Racing Partnership. He commented: “I bred him myself and he’s from a good family. I will need to chat to Colin now to see what he thinks. Barry said he jumped great and was game at the finish.” The four-year-old has since been entered for the Cheltenham sales.

First ride

Former professional jockey Anthony Fox had his first ride in the four-year-old maiden for Warren Ewing on Amonit, on his return to the amateur ranks. Fox, who had ridden as an amateur between 2005 and 2010 then joined the paid ranks where he rode a few winners. He now looks forward to his first winner as an amateur.