THERE was some excellent racing action at Saturday’s Route Harriers meeting at Portrush.
All eyes were firmly fixed on Winged Leader (1/2 /8/13 favourite) and the David Christie stable, as anticipation built to see whether the 11-year-old son of Winged Love could indeed rewrite the history books. In true and typically reliable fashion, this horse of a lifetime did not disappoint in the open.
Adopting his customary front-running tactics, he once again showcased his trademark fluent jumping - a defining feature throughout his remarkable career that has now yielded 34 point-to-point victories, alongside four wins on the track.
Under his long-time partner Barry O’Neill, Winged Leader fended off Kings Jet to win by six and a half lengths. There were emotional scenes as the champion returned to the winner’s enclosure, carrying the colours of John Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane, at a track that holds special significance for all connected with him.
Folklore
In doing so, Winged Leader etched his name into racing folklore, now standing alone at the summit as the most successful point-to-point horse in history, moving one clear of the legendary Still William, whose record had stood unchallenged since 1967. It was a truly extraordinary achievement for all involved, a moment that will forever be remembered in point-to-point history.
He remains the embodiment of consistency and class. A true testament to the David Christie team, who continue to present him in exceptional formzseason after season.
THE afternoon commenced with Gary Murphy making the long journey north from Wexford well worthwhile, as the aptly-named Rattlin Home (7/1 - 9/1), stayed on resolutely in the closing stages of the four-year-old maiden to deny the favourite The Mourne Rambler by a length.
Acquired as a foal from good friends of the handler, Michael and Andrew Walsh, this son of El Salvador shaped like a smart prospect. When challenged on the run into the straight, the debutant quickened stylishly displaying a most likeable attitude and, despite the favourite’s best efforts, Rattlin Home was not for passing under Shane O’Rourke.
“He’s a lovely, big 17hh horse,” Murphy said of the Turbine Syndicate-owned gelding. “He’s still raw and immature to look at, but all he’ll do is keep improving. I didn’t drive five hours up here for nothing! I was very hopeful. He’ll now be offered for sale.”
Annihilated
Tobyshill (11/1 - 8/1) lit up the fixture as he annihilated the opposition in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, getting the Dromara-based Caroline McCaldin stable off the mark for the new season.
Running in the colours of the handler’s father, Wilson Dennison, this smart son of Califet was always prominent under Oran McGill.
He cruised effortlessly around the home bend to join long-time leader and favourite West Of Idaho, with that rival ultimately coming to grief at the second-last, ensuring Tobyshill returned 14 lengths clear of Beans On Toast.
Reflecting on the win, McCaldin, who has enjoyed plenty of success, with the past two seasons being her best to date, commented: “He’s a lovely horse that we’ve always thought was a very nice type. He jumps for fun, always went well at home, and will now be sold.
“I have plenty of nice young horses coming through this year for Dad, so fingers crossed we can get a few more winners.”
The mares’ maiden unfolded in dramatic fashion, with only the favourite Picture Of You (11/10 - 4/5 favourite) managing to complete the course.
In what proved an incident-packed affair, Derek O’Connor guided the six-year-old daughter of Authorized home in solitary splendour after her final remaining rival exited four from the finish.
A notably keen-going type, now under the care of Sam Curling, she was previously trained by Alastair Ralph, for whom she failed to score, though she had earlier shown useful ability when placed in multiple maiden hurdles for Henry de Bromhead.
“It was a very incident-packed contest, but she could prove a nice mare in this sphere,” O’Connor said of the Zoe Curling-owned mare. “She just needs to learn to relax a little more. We didn’t get a proper test of her ability today, but it will be interesting to see what she can do in winners’ company.”
THE winners’ of three race completed a memorable double for David Christie and Barry O’Neill on what was a historic afternoon for the yard.
My Life Be Like (7/4 favourite) justified favouritism in fine style, leading home a stable 1-2 for the Christie team as the five-year-old son of Getaway got the better of his stable companion Fortune Lad, who was making his first start in winners’ company and his debut for new connections, by a length.
A progressive type, My Life Be Like enjoyed a real resurgence last season after joining the Christie operation for owners Shane Wilson and Jamesy Hagan, swiftly shedding his maiden tag and rising through the winners’ ranks with three consecutive victories before disappointing in a hunter chase at Down Royal on his final start of the season.
Dunaird (7/4 - 11/4) made a swift reappearance, having been narrowly denied on debut at Toomebridge just seven days earlier.
The Philip McBurney, Gerald Quinn and Noel McParlan combination were back together among the winners as the six-year-old son of Affinisea, a half-brother to multiple graded winner Ashdale Bob, made all in the older geldings’ maiden and quickened smartly to score by three-quarters of a length from Beg To Differ.
“He did that very well,” handler Quinn remarked. “Noel said he enjoyed the nicer ground and was only doing half-speed down to the last. He will head for a winners’ contest next.”
The Mourne Rambler (P. E. Turley): This four-year-old looked to be travelling the best as he entered the home straight; however, he met a very tough conqueror on this occasion.
Based on this performance, the son of Well Chosen looks sure to make amends for this defeat, and he could easily get off the mark on the track.