DOWNPATRICK’s Deckie Lavery recorded his fifth success of the point-to-point season when landing the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden at Stradbally last Sunday on Cemister who is trained by Ballyclare’s Lyle Andrew (Photo page 72).

Prior to running at this Laois Foxhounds’ meeting, the French-bred gelding, an eight-year-old by Anzillero, had been on a break of 890 days which started after he finished fifth of 14 in a maiden hurdle at Bellewstown in early July 2018.

He then ran in the colours of Sullivan Bloodstock but is now owned by well-known point-to-point enthusiast Robert Armstrong. It was no surprise therefore to learn that Cemister is ridden out by Molly McCrory who did such a great job in racehorse to riding horse classes with Armstrong’s wonderful home-bred servant Send For Paddy.

Across the water that day, the September Storm gelding Autumn Equinox won the first division of the two-mile bumper for four- and five-year-olds at the Barbury International Racing Club point-to-point at Barbury racecourse.

The five-year-old newcomer, who is trained by Melanie Rowley and was ridden by Alex Edwards, was bred in Co Down by Brian Wilson.

The bay is the fourth of five foals out of the Good Thyne mare Tombazaan who won a bumper and was placed over hurdles.

From the family of Sizing Solution, Buck House and Scally Owen, Tombazaan previously bred the Lahib gelding Kangaroo Court, who won eight times on the track, and the Jimble gelding Canny Tom who visited the winner’s enclosure on two occasions.