Hamilton has local promise

Hamilton has local promise

11 May 2016

TOP trainer Brian Hamilton came to the rescue of local handlers when supplying the sole Northern-trained winner at Downpatrick on Friday evening. 

Hamilton — a former Northern Region Champion rider prior to his training career is based close to the track — and Bertie Bell, with stable jockey Declan Lavery in the saddle, prevailed in the most exciting finish of the night.

A photo finish print was needed to decide the winner to the concluding bumper. Leading trainer at the course Gordon Elliott had to settle for second with The Storyteller.

The market principals had drawn clear in the closing stages and fought out a dour duel to the line.

Hamilton said of his horse, which had finished runner-up in three bumpers including the local track: ”He’s been unlucky — he has run against a couple horses from the major trainers including Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien.

“They both went on and won dual bumpers. He’ll go over hurdles now.  He’ll run away through the summer.”  The winner is owned and bred by Alistair Thompson from Dromore.

Course staff had worked long hours in the lead up to Friday’s meeting with extensive watering of the course and were duly rewarded with deserved praise and comments on the excellent condition of the track and going, one trainer remarking: “It’s perfect and safe jumping ground.”

 Mother-and-son Mags and Danny Mullins teamed up to claim the opener with Tsundoku - owned by trainer Edward Lynan’s wife, Aileen.

The runner-up, Twilight Shadow, appeared to have secured victory when going clear after the final flight, but the winner stayed on best up the hill to prevail, while Carnduff, which shot into the lead at the start, kept on to finish third.

Mullins said: “She jumped well — a bit of ease is what she needs. The ground at Tramore was horrendous. She might mix hurdles and the flat. I’ll discuss future plans with the owner.”

The mares handicap hurdle had a trio in contention after the last. However, it was Sligo trainer Mark McNiff who further enhanced his strike rate at the track when Mystic Princess scored.

The Sligo handler said: “She ran well here a couple of times and showed a liking for the course.”

Favourite backers would have been happy when Theo hit the front and appeared set to score in the long distance hurdle, but Tellthemnuttin was steadily making ground under jockey Dylan Robinson — a former talented apprentice on the flat.

The victory justified the trip from Limerick for trainer Willie Codd who said: “I don’t know where the early morning money (40/1 to 14/1) came from. I’m just delighted for the syndicate who leased her from a pal of mine.  She’s been running on terrible winter ground; that’s the first time she’s got decent going.”

Rise Of An Empire, running in the Ryanair colours of Michael O’Leary, proved the runaway winner of the extended distance hurdle with Bryan Cooper in the saddle.

The Navan trainer said: “I think the penny is only ping with him now. He appreciated that better ground. He ran very poorly here last time. I might aim at a novice hurdle at Kilbeggan next time now he’s started to pick up.”

Redclue, partnered by Robbie Power, was the easiest winner of the night in the handicap chase, giving the owners, a Donegal-based syndicate, a fifth success. 

Trained in County Meath by Gillian Callaghan, the favourite was racing off a much lower mark than his hurdles rating.

Callaghan said: “He lacked a bit of confidence over fences last season but he did that nicely. He may come back here for the next meeting.”

Top trainer Jim Dreaper was another to add to his tally at Northern tracks this season when Shake It Up, with All-Ireland champion rider elect Jamie Codd in the saddle, took the hunter chase.

Killenagh had attempted to make all the running and was alongside runner-up Kilna Shane until making a very bad blunder at the penultimate fence, bringing the local horse to a standstill, but the Dreaper horse was produced late and went clear after the final fence.