EIGHT races, unpredictable weather, a big crowd, and top-quality racing were the order of the day as the Killinick Harriers held their annual autumn fixture at Lingstown on Sunday.

A large entry meant divides were going to be a feature of the day with both younger maiden races being split. The fillies kicked off proceedings with the four-year-olds and 10 went to post in division one.

Run at a strong gallop from flag fall it was the Denis Murphy-owned and trained Presenting Doy (4/1) under Jack Hendrick that took the spoils.

The daughter of Doyen gained compensation for a debut fall with a really good performance and led from before two out before staying on strongly to beat Whatmakes Honey B by two and a half lengths with Phoenix Belle back in third.

“She came down after two miles in Dromahane and she was going well. I know it was a mile out, but she was cantering, she is a nice mare” reported the handler.

Division two went north as the Patrick Turley-trained My Forever Annie (3/1) made the journey from Downpatrick worthwhile as she recorded a taking debut win under her owner Declan Lavery.

The Champs Elysees filly raced handy throughout and though headed by Rob James and Railway Belle at the second last, battled back gamely on the run-in to lead close home and score by a short head.

The winning owner-rider was a happy man afterwards as he said: “She was only getting going at the line, she was a bit green, there is a lot of improvement in her and she will make a lovely mare. She will go to the sales now.”

The four-year gelding’s maiden was also divided, and the opening division went to the Monbeg Partnership and Sean Doyle as Twoohthree (8/1) under local pilot Jamie Scallan nabbed Ol Man Dingle right on the line by to win by a neck.

Stayed on

The Jet Away gelding was prominent for most of the contest and having been headed two out he stayed on resolutely close home.

“He appreciated the softer ground and Jamie gave him a very good ride; we are over the moon. He will probably go for the point-to-point bumper in Gowran in February,” reported Doyle after saddling his third winner of the season.

The most impressive winner of the day came in the second division as the all-conquering Gordon Elliott yard unveiled yet another smart maiden victor in the shape of Son Of Anarchy (evens favourite) in the Crocodile Pockets Syndicate colours.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding lived up to his €85,000 price tag under Barry O’Neill as he sauntered to an easy 15 lengths victory having taken control from three out.

A paddock pick beforehand, he cruised throughout the contest and never came off the bridle to beat Jazz De Cotte and Locked Box.

Mark Foley, representing the absent handler, stated: “He was doing everything right at home, doing everything well. He is a nice horse.”

Celebrating

The Pierce family from Killurin were celebrating after the five-year-old mares’ maiden as local rider Sean Staples brought home Theatre Light (9/4) to record a three and a half-length victory.

Carrying the Blackhall Stables Partnership colours and trained by Paul Pierce, the Leading Light filly led before two out and is now sales bound according to her handler, who remarked: “She is a nice filly, we always thought she might want better ground, but she has strengthened up now and handled that well today.”

THE five-year-old geldings’ maiden saw a field of 13 go to post and it produced a second northern winner as the Stuart Crawford-owned and trained Sawdust (3/1) made a winning debut under Derek O’Connor.

A second winner on the card for sire Leading Light, the chesnut was a snug victor by five lengths as he quickened clear on the run to the last to beat Manlikemike.

The winning rider was suitably impressed as he stated: “That was a nice performance, real professional for a horse first time out.

“A couple of lovely ladies own him, and I’d say he might be kept for racing. I’m not sure to be honest.

“He was a bit cautious going down to the last and I’d say he is a lot more value than the five lengths winning result.”

Lonesome Boatman (3/1) under Darragh Allen gained compensation for his final-fence fall at Lisronagh earlier in the month by taking the older geldings’ maiden.

The Jukebox Jury gelding got the better of a protracted duel from two out with Casey West to score by two lengths.

In the colours of Patrick O’Leary and trained by the rider’s brother Sean, he is likely to now head to winners’ company according to the rider.

“He was upsides in front with Declan Queally’s horse in Lisronagh and he came out and won in Knockmullen House, so we were hopeful,” Allen said.

“There was a few of them there that had track form, but he has plenty of ability he is just a bit hot. Winners’ races will be the plan.”

THE feature race of the day, the open over the unique Lingstown banks course saw Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick bring up a double for the afternoon as Lough Derg Spirit (5/1) took to the banks like the proverbial duck to water on his first outing over the natural obstacles.

Fourteen set off over the 30 obstacles in a competitive renewal but once the Catherine Murphy-owned Westerner gelding took the lead jumping the hedge for the final time, there was only going to be one winner as he saw off The Bosses Oscar and Knockiel Synge by five lengths.

Murphy now has a trip to Prestury Park in his sights as he said: “Jack said he was a different horse, he locked on going out the last time and bar a fall he said it was all over.

“Possibly he will go to Cheltenham on the 16th for the cross-country race. There is a big possibility he will go there.”

Jazz De Cotte (G. Quinn): This bay was also making his debut here and was unlucky to have bumped into such a smart rival in Son Of Anarchy.

A €26,000 Goffs foal purchase, the French-bred is a son of Fly With Me out of a Freedom Cry mare who is a sister to several winners. He won’t be a maiden long if seen in another point.