THE East Antrim Harriers hosted their annual autumn fixture at Loughanmore, courtesy of landowner Wilson Dennison.
The Ger Quinn-trained Wee Anna (2/1 - 1/1 favourite) lit up the venue, landing the four-year-old mares’ maiden on debut for the Caherty Stable team under Dara McGill.
Named after owner Philip McBurney’s granddaughter Anna, she is out of a sister to four-time Grade 1-winner Ballyburn, who coincidentally also won his maiden on debut around this track.
With the tempo upped significantly on the penultimate circuit, Wee Anna was given a patient ride before making a forward move from three out.
She and runner-up Miss Sacree soon drew clear on the run to the straight, before Wee Anna quickened from the back of the last to score by seven lengths.
Ian Ferguson remarked: “She was acquired from the Goffs sales as a store. I had the relationship with Ballyburn before, and she is out of a sister to Ballyburn.
“She has been telling them at home she has a lot of potential and should shape into a nice bumper/hurdles filly in the incoming season. I imagine Philip will send her to an upcoming sale. She has done her job today, and that’s the main thing.”
This was the opening leg of a double for the McBurney, Quinn, McGill partnership; the second leg came courtesy of Katkoriko (evens - 2/1 favourite), who took a significant step forward from his effort at Toomebridge on the opening day of the season, to claim the winners-of-two.
Making his first appearance since shedding his maiden tag at Kirkistown in March 2025, he opened his account in winners’ company with ease, scoring by 12 lengths from Portrush maiden winner Sutherland.
Long journey
Brian Lawless was the only handler to make the journey up from the south and return home with a winner, as Nellies Last Hope (7/4 - 3/1) battled gamely in one of the day’s most thrilling finishes, fending the off favourite Correen by a neck in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
The five-year-old daughter of Finsceal Fior made all and showed tremendous determination to repel Correen’s renewed challenge.
Lawless, who also steered the mare to victory, remarked: “I’m delighted to get that result. I have been training the mare for John [Fitzpatrick, owner]. She always worked like she was well capable of winning one.
“She was good and tough there, and she wanted to win. I’m unsure of her future plans. If she doesn’t stay point-to-pointing, John could potentially run her on the track.”
THE Patrick Turley stable got off the mark for the new season with their second runner, as the Declan Lavery-owned and ridden I Told Him That (5/2 - 7/2) scored in impressive fashion.
Acquired for €30,000 from the Goffs Arkle Sale, the son of Jet Away jumped fluently throughout, tracking the leaders before moving forward after the penultimate obstacle.
Although looking vulnerable on the run to the line, he soon put the contest to bed as he quickened again to score by four and a half lengths from Back In Stock.
“He loved the ground,” Lavery commented. “He won well and jumped class the whole way around. He will end up a proper staying horse for the future, but I’m just delighted with that performance today, and he will hopefully be sold now.”
Declan’s double
The second leg of Lavery’s double came courtesy of the Ross Crawford-trained Chapter ‘N’ Verse (6/4 - 5/2) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The son of Poet’s Word settled in mid-division, was delivered into the straight and rallied gamely to score by half a length from favourite Glenhead.
His handler stated: “He did that very well today. He’s a lovely horse, but he’s quite a big horse with a bit of a frame, and he’s taken a bit of time to come into himself.
“He was third here as a four-year-old, and the form of that race has worked out well, so that was another good run.
“He’s a bigger, stronger horse now, and he was able to put that race to bed. Jeremy Maxwell owns him, and I imagine he will go to the sales.”
BALLYEDWARD (1/2 favourite) justified favouritism in the older geldings’ maiden to shed his maiden tag on his return to the pointing field under Stephen Connor for handler Stuart Crawford.
Last seen between the flags at this venue in April 2025, the six-year-old has since enjoyed a spell on the track, finishing fourth at Down Royal in his most recent outing when rated 97 over hurdles.
Carrying the colours of Sean McElroy, he tracked the leader and eventual runner-up Firstupbestdressed, before asserting at the final obstacle to score by two lengths.
“He was very good there,” Connor commented. “It’s a good starting point for him for the season. I don’t know what the plan is, if the lads are going to go back to the track or go for a winners’ race.
“We knew he would come forward for it and would have needed the run too, but he did what he had to do today!”
Horse to follow
Lewis De From (C. McCaldin): This five-year-old son of Castle Du Berlais, who was acquired for €35,000 from Arqana as a two-year-old, likely ran better than the result suggests. Looking like the first horse beaten from three out, he stuck to his task and stayed on eye-catchingly into the straight. He should improve for the experience and, if learning to pick up and race, could be one to follow next time, particularly on softer ground.