DESPITE being delayed by a week because of the heavy rainfall seven days earlier, the North Down hunt hosted its annual autumn fixture and Mick Goff has long enjoyed an excellent strike-rate with four-year-old maidens at this venue.

Locker Boum (7/2 - 6/1) continued that trend with a smart and decisive performance under Matt Gahan.

The four-year-old son of Bucks Boum, who had finished fourth on debut at Dromahane in April, clearly benefited from that initial experience.

Travelling strongly throughout, he quickened after three out to join the long-time leaders and moved smoothly through the gears approaching the penultimate fence alongside the Gerald Quinn-trained Diamant Dore.

Locker Boum appeared to hold a narrow advantage at the last when his only serious rival fell, allowing him to draw 18 lengths clear of the runner-up Go Down Rocking.

A well-related type, he is a half-brother to multiple winners and looks a smart €28,000 purchase from the Tattersalls May Sale for owner Caitriona Goff.

Excellent

Winning rider Gahan commented: “He was very good. His jumping was excellent, he winged his fences and when I asked him to quicken from the third last, he went to the front and stayed galloping all the way to the line. It was a nice performance, and he should go on to be a nice sort.”

The five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden produced the only favourite of the afternoon to oblige, with the Tom Dreaper-trained Walk The Hall (5/4 favourite) registering a deserved success for the Knockalough Syndicate.

The daughter of Walk In The Park had shaped with promise last season, but endured her fair share of misfortune. Here, she enjoyed a clear run and delivered a commanding front-running display under Barry O’Neill.

With no one to make the running when the flag was dropped, O’Neill eventually took it up, after which the pair never saw another rival. She quickened stylishly off the home bend and stayed on well to defeat the debutante Largy Rose by a length and a half.

Dreaper remarked: “She’s a lovely big filly. She was very unlucky last year - she tipped up and was brought down, but she’s a strong Walk In The Park mare whom I’ve always liked, and she’ll keep improving. She’ll stay pointing for now and hopefully add to this win.”

THE well-known double green colours were carried to victory in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden by newcomer Irish Champ (7/2 - 5/1) for handler Stuart Crawford.

A well-bred son of Milan, and out of a half-sister to graded winner Winter Escape, he was given an educational and confident ride by Stephen Connor. Settled towards the rear, he jumped efficiently and travelled with purpose before making steady progress from four out.

After two out, he began to close on Mackieshill, who had stolen a five-length advantage, but Irish Champ showed admirable determination to chase him down. Despite an untidy leap at the last, he stayed on strongly to win with authority.

This €36,000 Derby Sale acquisition looks a quality prospect for owners Isaac Souede and Simon Munir.

The winning jockey commented: “He did that very well. We’ve always liked him, but he took a long time to mature and is still improving, he’ll be a lovely type for the future.”

Overturned

The winners of one contest saw yet another favourite overturned as Largy Star (3/1), a towering home-bred son of Blue Bresil, added to his maiden success at Damma House earlier in the month to get off the mark on the first attempt in winners’ company for Largy Bloodstock, as he defeated Fortune Lad by two and a half lengths.

Settled in mid-division, he was given a confident ride by Dara McGill as he picked off the field from three out. He launched his challenge entering the straight and, without being asked for much, passed his rivals with ease.

This performance was even more impressive than the winning distance suggests, and he looks a horse on the upward curve.

“I’m delighted, he came out of his race well the last day, so I had this one in mind,” handler Cormac Abernethy said.

“He always worked very well at home. Hopefully he’ll keep progressing through the ranks - possibly the maiden hunter chase at Limerick, but if not, we’ll find a winners-of-two race for him.”

DESPITE Journey With Me being sent off a warm favourite on his first start for the David Christie yard, the 152-rated chaser was denied by an impressive display from Philip McBurney’s Cadoudal Saint (3/1 - 4/1), who registered his fourth point-to-point success.

Bought back by his original connections for just £9,000 after a stint with Willie Mullins, he has been running well of late.

Tracking the leaders throughout, the seven-year-old son of Saint Des Saints responded gamely when Journey With Me quickened rounding the home bend. Driven by Noel McParlan, Cadoudal Saint picked off the favourite with ease and showed a sharp turn of foot approaching the last.

Handler Gerald Quinn commented: “He did that very, very well. He’s in the form of his life and has matured a lot from last year. He’ll head for a hunter chase next.”

The concluding contest proved one of the most dramatic finishes of the afternoon. Fane Court (7-8/1) produced a surging late run to deny the favourite Unfortunate Charlie on the line, with the judge required to separate them.

First success

The win marked the first success for handler Craig Kileff, who has now saddled three runners since taking out his permit, and it also provided his son Thomas with the third victory of his career.

Fane Court, last seen pulling up at Loughanmore in April 2023, was making his first start for new connections. Though outpaced from two out, horse and rider persisted, finding a renewed effort after the last to reel in the favourite in the final strides.

“I’m thrilled, I can’t believe we got up,” the winning rider said. “He found a second wind around the bend and flew home. I’m delighted for Dad. I’d love to pick up some more rides, maybe in novice riders’ races if I can. He’ll go to a winners’ race next.”

Horse to follow

Diamant Dore (G. S. Quinn): A striking son of Martinborough, he was the only rival able to quicken with the eventual winner before falling at the last. Out of a four-time winning Flat mare and a sibling to the smart French performer Pistache Dore, he should gain compensation very soon.