McNamara steers Bobbina to victory

McNamara steers Bobbina to victory

12 September 2012

BALLYNOE trainer Brian Hamilton saddled Bobbina for an eye-catching success at the re-arranged Downpatrick meeting held last Tuesday.

The five-year-old daughter of Bob Back was impressive under jockey Andrew McNamara when recording a seven lengths success in the mares’ maiden hurdle.

Hamilton’s runner stepped up on a previous run at the track when second in a bumper behind Queen of The Hill and the market was proved right as the 2/1 favourite powered up the hill to win in good style from Sligo raider Cool Annie.

“She’ll improve a good bit for that as she is still learning. There are loads of options open to her,” stated McNamara in the winner’s enclosure.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s stable star Moscow Mannon, who was fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, is set to embark on a career over hurdles.

The Carrickmannon-owned gelding is set to run at Down Royal’s November Festival meeting.

“We thought of running him over fences, but have decided to start off over hurdles as it’s a bit unfair to start him over the larger obstacles seeing as he has never run in point-to-points,” said the trainer.

Champion jockey Davy Russell rode a double at the meeting with 11/4 favourite Claragh Native winning the handicap hurdle for the second successive year for trainer Arthur Moore.

The Beneficial gelding, an ever consistent performer over hurdles, was fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time and was given a confident ride by the Cork man drawing well clear of runner-up Clarkey and Jody McGarvey.

“He never missed a beat today. We got a dream run and went a good gallop. He winged the last and sprinted, but with the hill to climb you can never take anything for granted here,” said Russell.

Waterford trainer Paul Roche provided Russell with his second success of the day and 28th winner of the season when Whiskey and Red took the honours in the handicap hurdle.

The 9/2 chance landed a nice touch for connections having been supported from an opening price of 14/1 in the morning and was providing Roche with his first training success in over two years.

Kildare trainer Mick Halford saddled the well-bred Ridayef to win the opening race of the day. Robbie Power took the mount on the Dr. Fong gelding who led after the final flight to score by two lengths from favourite Westhaven and Barry Geraghty.

“The good ground made a huge difference to him today,” said Power on dismounting from the winner.

Paul Magnier has only six horses in training at his Kildare stable and was on hand to watch Rare Symphony score by a neck in the mares’ handicap hurdle.

Front-runner Ta Blazes and Andrew Reid had every chance of victory until Bryan Cooper got up the inner to deny the pair in the shadow of the line with Point The Toes close up in third spot.

There was a huge shock in the maiden hurdle when 66/1 chance Flamenco Prince came from way off the pace under Ryan Treacy to overhaul likely winner King Malik.

An interesting statistic here is that the Oliver Brady-trained runner was winning on his 66th attempt. It was also a welcome change of fortune for jockey Treacy who was suspended for 21 days after winning on One Cool Shabra at Bellewstown in July.

The 18-year-old Fermanagh jockey was having his first ride as a professional and first over hurdles having recorded four successes in point-to-points.

Wicklow trainer Philip Rothwell was on hand to watch as Bottle Rattler got up in the dying strides to win the ladies’ bumper under Gillian Ryan.

The 25/1 outsider was settled towards the back of the field early on and swept up the hill to deny Helen Mooney on 9/1 chance Balboni by a short head.

Nina Carberry supporters knew their fate a good way out with 2/1 favourite Ride On finishing well down the field in ninth spot for Ted Walsh.

• Sympathy is extended to the families of well-known racing photographer Tommy Leckey from Banbridge who passed away recently, and Dorothy Murdock from Comber, who was a great supporter of point-to-point racing and a well-known breeder, whose funeral took place last Tuesday.

Next meeting: Wednesday, September 26.