Jumping Jet flies for win

Jumping Jet flies for win

1 May 2024

THE Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase, the longest race of the year to take place at Downpatrick and also the track’s feature race, took place in good conditions last Friday evening.

The meeting had been postponed from April 7 due to poor weather.

The maximum 15 runners were declared with three reserves but Dorking Cock was withdrawn at a late stage.

There were plenty of thrills and spills and the fourth last fence had to be bypassed on the final circuit due to earlier fallers.

Meath trainer Gordon Elliott saddled three runners in the race with Frontal Assault setting out to make all the running and eventually finishing in fifth place.

Over the last fence the leader was Ask Anything, the 11/4 fav ridden by Sean Flanagan in place of the injured Keith Donoghue, with Peaches and Cream a close second only to crash out under Conor Stone-Walsh.

Racing to the post Ask Anything looked like providing trainer Gavin Cromwell with his third success in a row in the race, but Carl Millar came with a late challenge on the Elliott trained Jumping Jet, bred at Comber by David Mitchell, to snatch victory.

Ash Anything was second ahead of Bodysattua and Tullybeg, also from the Elliott stable. SP: 5/1, 11/4, 22/1.

The Grant Bros Developments Handicap Hurdle saw a right turn-up with 40/1 shot Kilbrin Rocco, one of two runners in the race for Cork trainer Michael Winters, proving too good for the 6/4 fav Benjis Benefit.

The Co Armagh owned Flashthelights was third, this one trained at Draperstown by Noel Kelly.

There was a notable success in the Toals Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle. Brian Hamilton’s Stockdale and Tom Harney set out to make all the running and looked like doing well until the closing stages when Maghera amateur Dara McGill came with a winning run on Lusters Mistake to snatch victory. Solly Attwell was back in third.

For Newry farrier Ross Tumilty it was his first success as a trainer with only his third runner.

He trains at Danescroft, formerly the base of George Stewart, near Lisburn. SP: 14/1, 6/1, 9/2. Ross learned a lot about training from former owner/trainer Ronan McNally in Armagh.

The first race of the evening was the Redwell Stables Maiden Hurdle. Gordon Elliott and his number one jockey Jack Kennedy, who is trying hard to become champion jockey for the first time this season that ends with the Punchestown Festival, took the honours with Valsorpresa, winning in smooth fashion over Gone For Tea, owned by Peter Murphy from Mayobridge. 

Mount Anglesry was third. SP: 9/4 Joint fav, 9.4, 12/1.

With Keith Donoghue injured, Kieran Buckley came in for the winning spare ride on Razdan in the Billie and Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Maiden Hurdle. 

Always travelling well, the Chris Timmons-trained runner came home clear of Eco Pete, ridden by Tyrone jockey Simon Torrens, and The Great Unknown. SP: 11/4, 16/1.

Liam Lennon’s Kalsman ran a fine race at 100/1 to finish fourth for Scarva owner William Anderson,

The Smith family from Co Meath made a little piece of history at the track as they won the final two races on the card, both ridden by James Smith, who has returned home following a spell in England with Jonjo O’Neill, his first double.

Kevin Smith, who is James’ uncle, took the Boardsmill Sires Handicap Chase with Son of Hypnos, which he owners and trains, his charge winning in smooth fashion over Attitagh, ridden by Cargo Monaghan and Kilmacurtin. SP? 12/1, 13/2, 9/1.

The final race on the card was the WKD Beginners Chas and here we had the closest finish of the evening with Another Choice, trained by Matthew Smith, father of James, getting the verdict by a neck over Duffle Coat, looking to provide Jack Kennedy with a double and Gordon Elliott with a treble.

Back in third came Ringdufferin, owned by Killinchy’s Alan Dunlop. SP: 5/1, 6/5 fav, 7/1.

Over at Perth on the same evening Noel McParlan rode recent point-to-point winner Take De Touques to success for owner Philip McBurney and trainer Gerry Quinn.