SIMON Torrens came in for a lot of praise from Co Wexford trainer Liz Doyle after the Castlederg native had partnered 16/1 shot Ballybawn Belter to victory in the Grade 2 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Successful owner J.P. McManus had two runners in this extended two miles, one-furlong handicap which opened the programme on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival but his more fancied Willie Mullins-trained, Mark Walsh-ridden 5/2 favourite Risk Belle fell at the fifth.

Never far off the pace, Ballybawn Belter was sent into the lead by Torrens before the last and, while she did jump left at that flight, the five-year-old Valirann bay kept on well to beat one of Mullins’ other two runners in the race, Historique Reconce, by two lengths. There was no alternation to the placings following a stewards’ enquiry.

Doyle commented of Torrens: “He’s exceptional. He’s done so well for the boss (J.P. McManus) around here in those big handicaps. That’s the true test of jockeyship, those big handicaps – getting the margins right, the speed, positioning and the tempo of the race. It was a beautiful ride.”

British title

Across the water, Brian Hughes further extended his lead in the British jump jockeys’ championship by riding seven winners in the period under review.

The Co Armagh-born dual champion partnered three winners for three different trainers at Catterick last Friday, the first of these being the Donald McCain-trained Ballygeary who landed the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Maiden Hurdle by two lengths.

This six-year-old Flemensfirth gelding, whose only previous racecourse start had been when second in a Sedgefield bumper in January, also filled the runner-up spot in a Toomebridge maiden last October.

He was then having the second of two outings in point-to-points when trained here by Caroline McCaldin for her father Wilson Dennison. He was sold to his present owners, Craig and Laura Buckingham, for just £25,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham the following month.

Hughes partnered one winner at Musselburgh on Saturday, another at Carlisle on Monday before recording a double at Market Rasen on Tuesday.

Downpatrick’s Danny McMenamin and Co Sligo-born Derek Fox rode two winners apiece in the same time frame. The latter partnered both of his winners at Musselburgh for his retaining yard of Lucinda Russell with his victory in Sunday’s near three-mile handicap chase on Methodtothemadness denying Hughes another win by half a length.

McMenamin’s win on day two of the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials fixture at Musselburgh came in the two-mile handicap chase which he won on the Ann Hamilton-trained 3/1 favourite Pay The Piper.

On Tuesday, he joined forces with Co Antrim-born trainer Neil Mulholland to win the two miles and seven-furlong handicap chase at Taunton on the J.P. McManus-owned Dead Right.

On the flat, Oisín Orr won the concluding 12-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on Monday evening on the Mick Appleby-trained Sicario.

Meanwhile, it was great to see a video on World Horse Racing’s Facebook page of fellow Co Donegal-born jockey Martin Harley recovering from the serious injuries he received in a fall at Doomben racecourse, Brisbane, early last month.

THERE were no northern-connected winners at any of the three point-to-points held in Ireland last Sunday.

However, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the feat of Derek O’Connor recording his 1,300th success between the flags at Bellharbour as so many of his previous victories had been on horses trained by Colin McKeever for Wilson Dennison.

In Britain, the former Mark O’Hare-trained Lagan Valley won the maiden at Chipley Park on Saturday as the 5/4 favourite. Ridden by Will Biddick for trainer Julie Wadland, the 2017 Shirocco gelding was following up third and second place finishes at Chaddesley Corbett and Horseheath in December when partnered by Jack Andrews.

Lagan Valley ran on four occasions in this country early last year, falling on his debut and then finishing fifth three times in the colours of Ian Moore.

On Sunday, at Duncombe Park, Yorkshire’s leading rider John Dawson completed a double in the mixed open on Monsun Storm who is trained by his wife, Alice.

The 12-year-old September Storm gelding was bred by Jeff Hamilton out of the Seymour Hicks mare The Distaff Spy, the dam of two track winners and a half-sister to the 18-time winner Ida’s Delight (by Idiot’s Delight).

THE Dungannon-headquartered equine nutrition specialist Bluegrass Horse Feed, which works in tandem with Kentucky Equine Research, is to be the official sponsor of this year’s St Patrick’s Day meeting at Down Royal.

Bluegrass is renowned for manufacturing a premium range of nutritionally sound and innovative horse feeds. With equine nutrition its main priority, the company is dedicated to the advancement of horse nutrition and has developed a product range consisting of over 25 specialist feeds that meets the needs of today’s equine athletes.

In announcing the sponsorship this week, Kathryn Holland, Commercial Manager at Down Royal said: “Continuing our relationship with our long-standing sponsors is something we pride ourselves in, so we’re pleased to be welcoming Bluegrass back to Down Royal this year.

“Bluegrass is synonymous with premium equine horse feeds and we are proud to be partnering with a brand which continually works towards the advancement of horse nutrition, something we know is essential to ensure optimal racing performance. It really is the perfect partnership for us.”

John Rymer, Sales & Marketing Consultant at Bluegrass Horse Feed commented: “The team at Bluegrass takes pride in being associated with local brands, and we are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Down Royal into 2023 as we once again sponsor the St Patrick’s Day race meeting.

“Aligning Bluegrass alongside one of Ireland’s most reputable racetracks makes Down Royal the perfect outlet to showcase not only the benefits, but the value our products provide.

“We’re looking forward to engaging with equestrian owners and racing enthusiasts alike while promoting the Bluegrass brand and no