Success for Downpatrick duo

Success for Downpatrick duo

20 April 2022

EASTER Saturday saw a bumper attendance at the East Antrim point-to-point meeting at Loughanmore, Templepatrick.

For many who were able to attend the popular venue for the first time in three years it came as a surprise to note that the cost of admission at point-to-points is now £10 – it was formerly £5.

Despite a huge entry, the organisers got away with a seven-race card.

The Tattersalls NH five year-old mares maiden race saw nine face the starter former owner/rider John Bates and here we had a nice local success and, as the winners name may suggest, a possible future star.

The winner, the well named Shecouldbeanything is trained at Kingsfield, Downpatrick, by Paddy Turley and is owned and was ridden by his stable jockey Deckie Lavery, who is having a good season.

Always travelling well, the partnership won in smooth fashion from Call The Barmaid, ridden by James Walsh, with Isabella Bee third ahead of Victoria Avenue, owned and trained by former jump jockey Peter Buchanan from Ballygowan.

Thirteen of the 27 entries took part in the Barclay Communications four year-old mares maiden race. The Larne-based Crawford brothers, trainer Stuart and jockey Ben, joined forces to win what was the closest finish of the day.

Their charge, Larry Force, owned by Raymond Scullion and Martin McGrogan, just passed the judge, Paddy Fitzsimons, by a short head over the Rob James-ridden Windtothelighting and Alltheroadrunning, the mount of Derek O’Connor, this one trained close to the track by Graham McKeever.

The brothers went on to record a double when It’s For Me won the Dennison Commercials Ltd four year-old geldings maiden race by eight lengths from He’s Ultimate, owned and ridden by Deckie Laverty and trained by Paddy Turley.

Rock My Way, trained close to the track by Warren Ewing was third. Despite an entry of 41 for this race, only ten took part.

An entry of 45 in the Connolly’s Red Mills five year-old geldings maiden race saw it divided.

The first divide saw a good close finish with Yeah Man, ridden by Jack Hendrick for Wexford trainer Cormac Doyle, getting the better of Inis Oirr and Northern Edge, trained at Banbridge by Sarah Dawson for her husband, Dr Joe Dawson.

The second divide saw Wexford trainer Colin Bowe and his stable jockey Barry O’Neil win with Sound and Fury. Finishing second was Cardamon Hill, ridden by Noel McParlan for landowner Wilson Dennison. Third was Neblin with Shane Gault’s Shane’s Passion fourth.

Sadly, only two of the five entries took part in the Mirage Dancing and Hunting Horn at Castlefield Stud Open Race.

The easy winner proved to be La Feline, sent from Tipperary by Sam Curling for winning rider Derek O’Connor, who used to ride many winners on the local circuit. Always second best was the Jack Hendrick-ridden Presenting Ana.

The final race on the card was the Fleet Financial winner of two race for geldings. Noel McParlan rode Faith Loving to success for Dromara owner Alan McCaldin and his trainer wife, Caroline.

This horse finished third in a recent race at Downpatrick.

Second was Tareeshar in the colours of Loughinisland owner Paddy Marine, who was able to be present following a spell in hospital, and back in third was Boro Melody, one of three runners in the race for Cafre Racing Club.

Trainer David Christie had no runners at the meeting but he won the Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse with Vaucelet in the colours of Portrush hotelier John Hegarty and his partner Jennifer O”Kane.

With Barry O’Neil and Rob James both at the point-to-point, top jockey Jamie Codd had a rare ride for the trainer, who is in great form at present.

Paddy Fitzsimons gave me the sad news during the day that great horse racing fan Paddy Smith of Ballykinlar had passed away. His sons followed his love of the sport and Conor rode many winners in England.

It was good to see owner Brenda Ross at the meeting. Brenda had been missing even before Covid following a fall off a horse. She was also a regular point-to-point organiser.

Good also to have our popular photographer Harry Marcus back in action, he was greatly missed.

The next point-to-point is the two-day meeting at Largy, Crumlin, on April 29-30.