COLIN Bowe was making up for lost time in the four-year-old division last weekend, winning three of the eight four-year-old races that were run across the four days beginning with the eye-catching victory of Divilskin (93+) at Largy on Saturday.

The debut success of the Doyen gelding was all the more notable as he was carried wide, almost taken off the track before the second last fence when his rival stumbled, yet swiftly overcame that to win snugly in a race where the front pair pulled 10 lengths clear.

The same combination of Bowe and O’Neill also introduced the Soldier Of Fortune gelding Chapeau De Soleil (93+) at Stowlin.

The Galway venue only has a short run-in, but the manner in which he was able to swiftly kick clear of the pursuing Minella Diamond (88+) after the last was particularly striking, as he won going away and there is certainly more to come from him.

At Dawstown, Royal Defender (93+) completed their successes in a performance which saw few of the 10 runners involved.

That is because the Soldier Of Fortune gelding was one of three horses to break clear early on the final circuit.

Once O’Neill sent him on, he swiftly had his rivals toiling on the climb to the home bend and he put the race to bed decisively when asked to extend on the run-in.

Speedy filly

The greatest winning margin in that age division was recorded by Seeyouinmydreams (83++) at Largy on Friday.

Having been anchored towards the rear of the field for much of the race, she cut through the field inside the final half-mile with particular ease before her superior speed saw her breeze clear.

That speed will ensure it is unlikely that she will be racing over anything close to three miles again and looks smart.