IT was good to see the journey down to Tipperary on Tuesday paid off for the Patrick McKenna-trained, McKenna Partnership-owned Cuban Grey who, under Joey Sheridan, landed the concluding five-furlong handicap as one of the 9/2 joint-favourites.

The four-year-old Havana Grey gelding was having his sixth start for the Co Tyrone yard, his fifth over the minimum trip and his third on grass.

He was placed on his two previous outings at Navan, the last one being over six furlongs when he finished third to Stanhope and I napped his stable-companion, No Speed Limit, who was 10th. I’ll catch one of them one day!

Also on the flat, the Andy Oliver-trained Orchidaceae was a 50/1 shot when winning the opening six-furlong two-year-old maiden on Friday evening’s card at the Curragh where, the following afternoon, the Amanda Torrens-owned Follow Me landed the seven-furlong handicap as the 4/1 market leader.

Winners

Luke McAteer and Dylan Browne McMonagle both partnered winners on Wednesday at Tipperary where the George Kingston-trained Sceptred Isle won the concluding extended mile and a half handicap by two lengths.

Across the water on the level, Oisin Orr partnered four winners in the period under review while Patsy Cosgrave recorded a double at Brighton on Tuesday.

Over jumps, Derek Fox landed a double on Sunday at Kelso where Danny McMenamin also visited the winner’s enclosure, as did Caoilin Quinn at Fontwell. Brian Hughes was on the mark at Bangor on Tuesday.

Quinn’s win came in the near two and a half-mile handicap chase on the Gary and Josh Moore-trained Call Off The Dogs who won over a slightly shorter trip at the same track on his previous start.

The nine-year-old Bienamado gelding, who is out of the Good Thyne mare Lady Charmere, was bred in Co Monaghan by Padraig McKernan who also bred the Paula Howard-owned, Davy Lyons-produced Dernahatten Out Of Touch who was reserve champion broodmare at the recent Balmoral Show.

That 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse is also by Bienamado who Padraig used to stand.

The Dennison Commercials Northern Region point-to-point awards were presented at Downpatrick last week: L-R Pamela Ballantine (Chairperson of Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders), John Graham (Leading Northern Breeder), Caroline McCaldin (Dennison Commercials (Sponsor) and representing winning owner Wilson Dennison), Noel McParlan (Leading Jockey) Ronnie Bartlett (Lifetime Achievement Award Winner), Gerald Quinn (Leading Northern Trainer), Jennifer O’Kane (Leading Northern Horse- Winged Leader) Ruth Morrison (Downpatrick Racecourse Manager), Anthea Smyth and Ray Nicholas (both Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders Committee members).

SAM Ewing enjoyed an excellent extended weekend with a win at Limerick last Thursday week and doubles at both Downpatrick on Friday and Ballinrobe on Monday.

At Downpatrick, Mark McNiff saddled Leo Matheson’s Big Girl Betty to win the Dennison JCB Maiden Hunters’ Chase (see page 37), just one of the races on the card supported by Wilson Dennison whose sponsorship of young horse maidens at point-to-points in the northern region is most appreciated.

It was great to see the end of the regional hunt race season being celebrated on Friday evening with this meeting being followed by the point-to-point awards presentation.

Hopefully, the sport’s participants are taking a little time out to relax before getting ready for the start of the 2024/’25 campaign.

Draperstown trainer Noel Kelly had no luck with his two runners at Downpatrick but did send out the Cill Iseal Syndicate’s Herculaneum to win the extended two-mile handicap hurdle on Tuesday at Ballinrobe.

The Max Ervine-bred seven-year-old Jungle Cove (by Mastercraftsman – Purple Glow, by Orientate) landed the maiden hurdle over the same trip while Open To Question won the conditions hurdle – again over the same distance – in the colours of Patricia Hunt.

SAINTFIELD Horse Show is on the move again, show director Joan Cunninghan has advised us, taking place on Saturday, August 24th, at Hazeldene Farm, Ballynahinch, where, last Saturday, owners Andrew and Laura Napier hosted an Eventing Ireland one-day event.

“We are absolutely delighted that Andrew and Laura are welcoming us to Hazeldene Farm,” said Joan. “Seldom have I ever seen such magnificent facilities. As the summer showing season will be drawing to an end and kids will soon be going back to school, this will be a great way to end the season.

“There will be the usual mix of pony showing, horse showing, a racehorse to riding horse class, working hunter competitions, happy hackers’ classes, ladies side saddle, a pet dog show, a best dressed lady competition, trade stands and lots of novelty events,” rattled off Joan without drawing a breath.