THE north-west region meeting in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal saw Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath rider Joey Dunne register his first ever winner as he took the non-winners race on Tinkerbell for Andy Scott.

Fourteen-year-old Dunne, who is gaining experience riding out for Noel Meade, sat in second position early before getting the better of the Rossa Ryan-ridden The Wagon Wheel in the final strides to win by a neck.

Ryan continued his winning ways with a treble.

Turn the tables

Never Say Never will be favourite to turn the tables on last year’s victor Man Of Steel in the Kerry Mile for Dingle restauranteur Gary O’Boyle in Dingle and he made it four on the bounce, following two recent wins in the southern region, when making all and quickening well to take the mile race from the Sean O’Briain-ridden Granda Mac.

Ryan then took the 14.2hh race on the Trevor Orr-owned One Direction, sitting second behind the Sam Ewing-ridden Shoot The Breeze until grinding out a two-length win over the final furlong.

Athea Jade completed the treble in the 10-furlong race where he made the running early and, despite being headed a furlong out, fought back to win from the Luke McAteer-ridden Who This.

Double

Luke McAteer partnered his first winners since returning from injury as he secured a double. Sir RJ took the 12-furlong race for owner Sammy Laird as he led from over half-a-mile out to win by a length from Delmia.

McAteer completed the double in the two-mile race, on Walk The Line, where he tracked long-time leader Ya Wee Skitter before stretching clear for an impressive win; it made a double for Sammy Laird.

Daniel McMenamin took the 15hh race on Rosellen’s Quest for Raymond Orr. The 16-year-old Downpatrick-based rider took up the running after a couple of furlongs and dictated matters from there, quickening well over the final quarter-mile to win from Messi.

The day opened with a 13.2hh race, which was won by Jamie Kelly on his own pony Little Moonshine.