THE East Down Foxhounds meeting at Tyrella on Saturday kicked off the northern spring fixtures attracting the largest entry of any meeting run so far in 2018. Based in Athy, Co Kildare, handler Maurice Phelan made his journey north a successful one as The Dabbler (2/1 – 4/1) made a successful debut under Jamie Codd in the CBRE five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Broadway Star under Mark O’Hare took up the running at the second-last as The Dabbler stalked the leader, travelling smoothly around the bend into the straight. A loose horse briefly hampered his efforts before the last but the son of Presenting asserted on the run in to win easily by six lengths.