WHILE we are used to seeing Noel McParlan return to the No 1 spot at point-to-points, as he did following the winners of one at Kirkistown on Saturday with the Noel Kelly-trained Decor Irlandais, it was great that Karen Ferris did the same after the open.

Thirty minutes after David Christie had saddled Karen and husband Eoin Barry’s Daenerys Stormborn to land the mares’ maiden under Rob James, the Derrylin trainer provided Ferris with her fifth success between the flags when Horendus Hulabaloo took up the running before the last to win going away.

Delighted to partner a winner in the colours of Christie, for whom she rides out three days a week, Karen would have derived even greater pleasure from the fact that she got the better of Barry O’Neill, who was on the odds-on favourite Sizing Titanium, with McParlan riding the third-placed Brother Gold.

PROLIFIC

The six-year-old September Storm mare Daenerys Stormborn was bred by the Co Down-based Berry Farms and is the 11th of 12 foals out of Ceo Draiochta (by Erins Isle) following the prolific Bob Back gelding Strongpoint, many of whose wins came when trained by Stuart Crawford for the late Seamus McAlister, and the five time-winning mare Running In Heels (by September Storm).

Not having a good day was away bookmaker Franco Hughes who was just one of many layers in Ireland and Britain who paid out on the double following the ‘wrong winning post’ debacle that afternoon at Sandown.

“I paid out £900 on One For Rose (who was originally declared the winner) and then €300 on Third Wind (the actual winner),” revealed Franco. “The guys that I paid out the £900 to cleared off and never did another bet with me. I was happy enough to pay on the double result but I should have had the opportunity to get my money back!”