DRAPERSTOWN trainer Noel Kelly is sponsoring the first race of the 2024/2025 point-to-point season, the four-year-old mares’ maiden at Toomebridge, but has no runners himself at today’s Mid Antrim meeting.

Kelly’s string have been in good form of late and he sent out two winners in the period under review, the Orán McGill-ridden Size Five in division one of the three-mile handicap hurdle at Perth last Thursday week and the Dara McGill-partnered Gladiatorial at Sligo on Wednesday.

The gambled on Size Five, who runs in the colours of the trainer’s wife Shauna, is a six-year-old Califet gelding, who was bred by Gerard Cosgrave out of the Exit To Nowhere mare Strong Lady, who is dam of two other winners. The nine-year-old Fame And Glory gelding Gladiatorial is owned by William Brown.

Orán McGill initiated a double at that Perth meeting in another three-mile handicap hurdle (a stayers’ series qualifier) on the 3/1 shot Building Bridges, the eight-year-old New Approach gelding, who is trained by the rider’s father Gary for the Tophouse Syndicate.

Recent winners

Sam Ewing also maintained his good recent run with a win last Thursday week at Listowel on the Gordon Elliott-trained Yeats Star and one at Roscommon on Monday on Mexican Moonshine, who is also trained by Elliott.

Other locally-foaled recent winners were headed by the Max Ervine-bred, Aidan O’Brien-trained Bubbling (No Nay Never – Lumiere Noire, by Dashing Blade) who, under Ryan Moore, landed the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) for two-year-old fillies at Newmarket on Friday.

The Colin Kennedy-bred three-year-old gelding Triggerman (Ribchester – How Sweet It Is, by Kodiac) got off the mark at the 10th attempt at Southwell last Thursday week; the McCracken Farms-bred four-year-old Daytona Lady (Bungle Inthejungle – Roseau City, by Cityscape) won a fillies’ handicap at Wolverhampton last Friday and the Brian Kennedy-bred gelding Bownder (Belardo – City Vaults Girl, by Oratorio) won the nursery at Southwell on Sunday.

On the ownership front, the Masked Marvel gelding Marvel De Cerisy, who is trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, picked up a nice prize for Caolan Woods when landing the six-year-old and upwards listed handicap hurdle at Auteuil on Sunday.

On the level at home, there were wins at Dundalk on Friday for Hezahunk, who is trained by Ado McGuinness for Nigel O’Hare, Philip Smith and Mark Devlin, and at Bellewstown on Wednesday for Gandolfo, who is trained by Colin Keane for Patricia Hunt.

DYLAN Browne McMonagle, who was riding at Saint Cloud yesterday and is in action at Longchamp this weekend, couldn’t have been in better form leading up to this Gallic trip, having partnered seven winners between last Friday week and Wednesday just past.

The Donegal jockey initiated a double last Saturday at the Curragh in the very lucrative Goffs Million over seven furlongs, which was worth €500,000 to the winner. This he won by a head on board the Wootton Bassett colt Apples And Bananas, who is trained by his boss, Joseph O’Brien.

Dylan rode one winner at the Curragh on Sunday, as did Luke McAteer, and recorded a double on Molson Coors race day on Monday at Down Royal, where Patrick McGettigan recorded his second career success in the five-furlong Coors Handicap.

On the flat across the water, Patsy Cosgrave rode a winner at Pontefract last Thursday week and at Epsom on Sunday, while Oisin Orr partnered three winners on Wednesday at Musselburgh, two for his boss Richard Fahey.

Staying in Britain, but over jumps, Brian Hughes recorded a short-priced double at Sedgefield on Tuesday.

BOTTLEGREEN is returning as sponsor of the Best Dressed Lady competition on day two of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing (November 1st and 2nd) at Down Royal.

The winner will receive the ultimate ‘Shop, Stay and Spa’ weekend experience. The package includes a luxurious overnight stay for two at the Culloden Estate & Spa including breakfast, a 50-minute ESPA spa treatment, a bottle of champagne and an eight-course tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings.

The prize also covers a shopping spree at Victoria Square with a personal shopping experience, including a complimentary colour consultation, and a voucher worth £1,000. To finish, the winner can then enjoy a champagne afternoon tea at the newly-opened Ivy Belfast Brasserie with up to four friends. The top 10 finalists will be treated to luxurious bottlegreen goodie bags, filled with exciting surprises!

Among the judging panel for this year’s competition will be Cool FM presenter and fashion icon, Rebecca McKinney and 2024 Miss Northern Ireland winner, Hannah Johns.

Commenting on bottlegreen’s continued sponsorship, Brendan Loughran, Head of Business for Drinks Ireland from The SHS Group, said: “We’re delighted to return as sponsors of the Best Dressed Lady competition. After witnessing the tremendous success and enthusiasm from last year’s event, it was an easy decision to come back on board.

Alice Quinn, Commercial Executive at Down Royal Racecourse, added: “Ladies Day is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in our calendar, showcasing the best in chic, elegant fashion. We’re thrilled to welcome bottlegreen back as the sponsor for a second year.

“We look forward to seeing the style on the day and hope everyone has an unforgettable experience at the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing.”

DOG lovers are reminded of next Saturday’s ‘Dog Royal’ festival at Down Royal racecourse, where the doors will open at 10am.

Supported by headline sponsor Naturo, the event will celebrate all things canine with a jam-packed programme of activities, and has as its charity partner, Guide Dogs Northern Ireland.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the Guide Dogs NI team, who will be offering a taster demonstration of sighted guide training – a practical skill that teaches people how to confidently assist those who are blind or partially sighted. Participants will learn useful techniques to help them support visually impaired individuals with ease and confidence.

This year also marks a milestone for Guide Dogs NI, as the organisation celebrates 40 years since its first guide dogs qualified in the region.

Attendees at Dog Royal will be encouraged to support Guide Dogs NI, with opportunities to donate available both at the entrance and throughout the event.

Gary Wilson, Community Fundraising Manager at Guide Dogs NI, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to be the chosen charity for the inaugural Dog Royal event.

“As a charity, we rely almost entirely on public donations to fund our vital services for people with vision impairments across Northern Ireland. Every penny raised will help us create more guide dog partnerships and improve the lives of those living with sight loss.”

Emma Meehan, Chief Executive Officer at Down Royal, also shared her excitement: “We are delighted to partner with Guide Dogs NI for our inaugural Dog Royal event. Their work improving the lives of those with vision impairments through the incredible guide dogs, makes them the perfect partner for this event.” Guide Dogs NI has also recently reopened its Puppy Raising programme in Northern Ireland. For those interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser, more information is available at guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.