IT was a red-letter day for jockeys Paddy Cleary and Tom Halford, who partnered their first racecourse winners in Down Royal.
Cleary was seen to good effect aboard debutant Timeless Treaty (14/1 - 15/2) for Gordon Elliott in Division 2 of the Ballygowan Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding won a run-in tussle with 4/6 favourite Fairbanks to get up in the closing stages by three-quarters of a length for owners Sierra Pacific, Pioneer and Ruairi Digby.
Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “He’s by Harzand and he’s well-bred. He did everything right today which was lovely. Hopefully, he is going to have a nice future ahead of him for the owners.
“Paddy is in Gordon’s every morning, he has been there for a good few years. It is lovely for him to get these opportunities in these 15 winners or less races - they are brilliant opportunities for young lads to get going and build a bit of momentum.”
Surprise winner
Halford and Kings Jet sprang an 18/1 surprise for trainer Cormac Farrell and owner Douglas Taylor in the C&C White Maiden Hunters Chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.
Halford improved this Jet Away gelding into the lead over two out and the pair forged on well to seal the deal by eight lengths.
The jockey said: “I’m in with Cormac six days a week. A big thanks to him for the ride, and to dad and mam for bringing me everywhere. Dad (former trainer Michael Halford) taught me most of the stuff I know to this day, so I’m delighted.”
TOPGUN Simmy was the first leg of a double for Shark Hanlon and Paddy Hanlon in the Pepsi Max Hurdle over three miles.
The 11/4 shot disputed the lead with Clodders Dream before taking over three out. Fancy Girl got interested in the first prize over two out, however, Topgun Simmy was always holding her on the run-in as he came in by a length and a half for Anthony N Durkan and B.M. Durkan.
Trainer Hanlon said: “I put him in at Haydock (on Saturday), it is worth £40,000. If everything is alright tomorrow, he will probably end up there. He got balloted out at Punchestown by one and I was gutted.”
Hanlon doubles up
The pair were then successful with Quest With Speed (5/1) in the Club Mixers Handicap Chase.
Jockey Hanlon was patient aboard this eight-year-old gelding who stayed on into contention at the penultimate fence. He overwhelmed 3/1 favourite Dorans Law at the last and came in by three and a half lengths for owner William Carroll.
The trainer said: “I’m delighted for Paddy, he gave him a peach. Two completely different rides. He’s a horse that loses interest, he gave him a slap down the shoulder and kept him interested. When he passed one or two, he picked up.
“It shows how good a job they did on the ground, the ground is beautiful here. It is on the soft side of good - if it was good, he wouldn’t win.”
Improved performance
Quinn The Eskimo reaped the benefit of a fourth in Fairyhouse when landing the Club Lemon Handicap Hurdle. Richie Deegan’s mount raced in mid-division and made progress halfway. He improved into fourth after the third-last flight and hit the front over the next.
Tubberfinn Lady challenged him at the last, but Quinn The Eskimo was strong in the closing stages, as he went on by a length and a quarter at 9/2 for owner Andrew Gemmell.
Paul Nolan said: “A fine, big type and he jumped well. We did expect him to come on from the last day, where there was marked improvement. Richie said he was going to learn an awful lot from that.”
Paddy Cleary, rider of unplaced Voice Of Reason, was given a two-day ban for a breach of the whip regulation.
BLACK Soul was a 20/1 winner of Division 1 of the Ballygowan Maiden Hurdle for Paul Stephen Kiely and The Ney Partnership. Hugh Morgan had him tracking the leaders and they took over before the second and raced away from the last to strike by two lengths.
Part-owner Anthony Murphy said: “We were hoping that he would run well and run into a place, because he won his point-to-point (at Rathcannon). He’s just after hitting a vein of form for some reason.”
Owner/trainer Bill Durkan’s Baltic Bird made a bright start to his chasing career in the Club Orange Beginners Steeplechase over the extended two miles and three furlongs. He was backed down to 6/5 favourite and Patrick O’Brien sent him on over the last and he galloped in by three and a half lengths. Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “We schooled him at the back end of the year before we let him off in October and he jumped well. Whether we go to the GPT or the novice chase (in Galway), we have plenty of options.”
Flying home
Arthur Moore took the wraps off Flying Trix, who was a ready winner of the Energise (Pro-Am) Flat Race. Michael Sharpe sent the well-backed 4/1 shot on entering the straight and he opened up by four lengths in the final furlong for Mrs A.L.T. Moore.
The trainer said: “He could win on the flat I think, he has a bit of toe. My daughter and son-in-law bought him as a foal, and we’ve always liked him.” On Sharpe, he added: “He gave the horse a beautiful ride. He is great value for his 7lb claim.”