JACK Kennedy and Gordon Elliott completed a double at Downpatrick as Thehairyfella just held on in the concluding AJC Group Handicap Chase. The 6/1 chance was prominent throughout, but was headed by Jimli’s Cave at the last.
The drama really only started from here, though, as Mike O’Connor had to cope with a slipped saddle and lost his irons on Jimli’s Cave.
Thehairyfella edged right under pressure inside the final furlong which left Our Zebo (10/11 favourite) short of room on the rail.
The favourite finished best of all after being switched left to get a clear run, but failed by a head with Jimli’s Cave also staying on gamely just half a length away in third.
Kennedy said: “He jumped and travelled great, and probably only did what he had to the whole way to the line. He was kind of just doing enough and nothing was ever really going to get by him. Nice for Derek (Barry, owner) for him to win.”
Jazz kickstarts brace
Jazz De Cotte added to a bumper win at Ayr last year with a hard-earned victory in the Plus 2 Print Remembering Tony Oakes MBE Maiden Hurdle.
Trained by Elliott for Ronnie Bartlett, the 6/5 favourite was about five lengths in arrears of the front-running Jackson Lamb after the penultimate flight. However, Kennedy’s mount gradually reeled him in striking the front in the closing stages to score by a length.
Kennedy said: “I suppose he has been a bit disappointing since his bumper win in Ayr. We thought he was a nice horse that day. The further he goes the better. He galloped all the way to the line, so it is great to get.”
Kennedy was handed a two-day suspension for frequency with the whip on the winner.
Full Confession marches in
Full Confession held obvious claims in the Randox (C&G) Maiden Hurdle and duly landed odds of 4/9 for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
The champion amateur rider elected to set the pace although the race was in the balance as chief market rival Power Of Words challenged approaching the final hurdle.
However, Full Confession responded much the better under pressure and kept on well on the run-in to beat that rival by two lengths.
Jockey Mullins said: “The owner, Dominic Kearns, is here with his family and this is obviously a big day up the north, so job done.
“I think his jumping has sharpened up a bit and he could move back up in trip. Galway might come a bit soon, but I’d be hoping for Listowel.
“I think he is a horse with a bit of ability.”
THE Downpatrick Racecourse Family Funday Supporters Handicap Chase proved a real family affair for the Hanlons as Lakefield Flyer put in an exhibition of jumping before coming out on top in a thrilling finish.
The seven-year-old gelding jumped superbly in front, but was strongly pressed by Wajaaha on the final uphill climb to the line.
The pair were neck and neck for much of the final furlong, but Paddy Hanlon’s mount just found a bit extra in the final strides to score by half a length. The 4/1 winner is trained by Hanlon’s father Shark, and owned and bred by his mother Rachel O’Neill.
Jockey Hanlon said: “Dad had him primed for today. He was in good form, he battled back and he was tough. Two good jumps at the second last and the last.”
Juniper’s winning start
The Paul Nolan-trained Juniper Hill made a winning start over fences when getting on top close home to land the C. Russell Auto Sales Beginners Chase.
Royal Reprobate cut out most of the running in this stamina test, but was headed at the second last by even-money-favourite Betty Dutton.
However, she in turn was challenged by Juniper Hill at the last and Sean Flanagan’s mount proved the stronger in the final 100 yards to score by a length and a half at 15/2.
Flanagan said: “Very impressed with her now, she’s not big but she has got a big heart. You’d have to say maybe she might have a better chasing career.
“She is owned by a great crowd of lads (Moonlight Syndicate) from my local village and they are knocking great sport out of her.”
TELL Us This completed the set of victories at northern racetracks when taking the honours in the Cosy Group Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and a furlong.
The six-year-old gelding raced in rear of mid-division for Eoin Staples and took closer order in third before the penultimate flight. The 7/2 joint-favourite led between the final two hurdles and powered up the hill to come in by eight lengths.
Gavin Cromwell said: “I’d have to see it again, but he got a lovely run up the inner and maybe got there a little too soon, but stayed going all the way to the line. I’m delighted for them (Old School Syndicate), they have stuck with him.”
Diamond shines
Diamond Tipp (7/1) put in a more than pleasing debut effort over flights to claim the ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle. A trip of an extended two miles and a furlong was on offer and Alex Harvey always had her tracking the pace.
The pair jumped into the lead from Sophia Rose over the last and galloped home by five lengths for the Only Tools & Horses Syndicate.
John McConnell said: “We were so disappointed with her runs this year in bumpers. I’m sure it was rapeseed the first day and then she ran a good bit better - but not what she could - the last day. We gastroscoped her and she had ulcers. She has had her treatment.
“I’m delighted for the lads, they have stuck with her. They were a bit deflated after the last couple of runs because they were really looking forward to this season.”