OF the 97 hunter certificates listed as being registered with the Turf Club on Wednesday, roughly two dozen are for horses set to run in the black and white quartered colours of Wilson Dennison.

All but three are in the care of Loughanmore-based Colin McKeever, the odd ones out being the four-year-old geldings Ballyellis (by Shantou) and Larch Hill (by Presenting), who are with Ian Ferguson, and the Flemensfirth five-year-old Scottshill who is being trained by the owner’s daughter, Caroline McCaldin.

The last-named has also registered a cert for the 11-year-old open horse Bobowen, who she owns in partnership with Sharon Kelly while Ferguson has lodged certs for eight other horses, including three for Ronnie Bartlett.

Among local handlers who are also primed for an early start to the season are Ann Hunter, Jerry Cosgrave, Gerald Quinn, Eoin Barry and Paul McAleese.

A reminder for those intending to have runners when the new season opens with the Mid-Antrim meeting at Toomebridge on Saturday, October 7th, hunter certificates must be lodged at the Turf Club by close of business on Monday week, September 25th.