“DOWN the stretch they come and he’s all alone. He’s in hand and in command,” came the cry of the course commentator as the 12-year-old Vintage Vinnie romped home in the Maryland Hunt Cup run on the timber track in Glyndon, Maryland.

It was a tremendous success for Irishman Dan Nevin, his first victory on his first US mount. Bruton Street-US’ Preseli Rock was second with Hadden Frost on board with Rocket Star Red is third.

At four miles over 22 post-and-rail fences - some nearly five-feet tall - the Maryland Hunt Cup is the longest and most demanding timber race in the US. This year’s running carried a $60,000 purse.

Two of the most notable winners have gone on to win the Grand National at Aintree, the world’s most famous steeplechase. Ben Nevis II and Jay Trump, both Hall of Famers, accomplished the rare double.

Armata Stables’ Vintage Vinnie, trained by Joe Davies, had won the My Lady’s Manor, the first leg of the Maryland Timber Triple, earlier this month. This was the Irish-bred’s fifth US start and he has never been off the board since coming stateside.

The victory was the fifth in a row for trainer Joe Davies, who scored three times with Senior Senator and once with Derwins Prospector.

Vintage Vinne set a course record of 8m 22.3 for the four miles and cruised to victory by an amazing 112 and a half lengths. Yes, they judged it at 112!

Nevin said afterwards: “The minute he seen the fence he knew what he was doing, he backed off, he was very good. He was good on his feet. I looked behind me coming to the fourth the last and I knew I was well clear.”

“You gave him a perfect ride,” part owner Benjamin Griswold praised. “Starting at the top!”

Vintage Vinnie, a 12-year-old by Vinnie Roe was trained in Britain by Rebecca Curtis where he won over the Aintree Mildmay course. He was bred by Carmel Hennessy.

The race can be viewed on the National Steeplechasing Assiciation website.

Santa Anita

There was an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes over nine furlongs at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The Bob Baffert-trained As Time Goes By had been second to Swiss Skydiver in a Grade 1 last time but had no trouble with this lesser opposition, racing to an eight-and-a-quarter-length success under Mike Smith. The four-year-old daughter of American Pharoah is owned by Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith.

Also on the card Irish import Gregorian Chant registered his third win in a row in a six-furlong allowance race on the turf for Phil D’Amato. The Gregorian gelding was privately purchased here through the BBA Ireland.

There was another success for an Irish-bred on the Sunday card when the colours of Zhang Yuesheng were carried to victory by Sword Zorro, a Zoffany colt who hadr a turf mile won at Leopardstown for Jessica Harrington last October. He won the blacktype Singlerary Stakes for trainer John Sadler.