THE Mid-Antrim Harriers hosted their second fixture of the season on Saturday, where the Rob James stable continued their rich vein of form by taking the four-year-old maiden.

Cavalier Du Luy (7/2 - 5/2), who brought solid form into the race following a third place finish at Ballycahane in March, stepped forward from that effort with a highly professional front-running performance.

The son of Vadamos was efficient over his fences, quickened smartly into the straight, and stayed on strongly to win by a length over the favourite Bergamasquo.

Unsold at £95,000 at the 2024 Goffs Spring Store Sale, the winner scored in the colours of the Matchmake Syndicate.

Winning rider and handler Rob James commented: “He had a decent bit of form coming here. I really fancied him the first day, but he got lit up and did a bit too much. He’s got a great cruising gear and is probably a better horse back in trip. He’ll be sold now, and hopefully he can go on to win on the track.”

Well-earned success

The five-year-old geldings’ maiden went the way of Chichester Park (5/2 – 3/1), trained by Caroline McCaldin and carrying the colours of her father, Wilson Dennison.

A son of Yorgunnabelucky, the €24,000 Goffs Arkle purchase had been knocking on the door with several placed efforts throughout his autumn campaign, ensuring this was a well-earned success.

Ridden by Declan Lavery, Chichester Park was held up in mid-division for much of the race. He had to be briefly urged along five out but responded gamely, moving into contention and launching a well-timed challenge down the outside.

He battled tenaciously to the line, overhauling long-time leader Killycarn (3-4/1) to win by half a length.

The older geldings’ maiden produced a popular local success for the Philip McBurney and Gerald Quinn partnership as Braidside Boy (7/4 – 5/4) built on his promising runners-up finish at Loughanmore just 12 days earlier, having returned from a lengthy absence. The six-year-old son of Diamond Boy was always prominent under Noel McParlan and travelled strongly throughout.

Quickening effortlessly from the penultimate obstacle, he drew clear of his rivals before being eased down at the line to record a commanding success over Gleninnis Storm.

“He had a great run the last day after a long layoff and we expected him to come on for it and he showed that today,” Quinn said.

THE five-year-old son of Tamayuz, Southey (5/2 – 3/1), made a successful return to the pointing field after almost a year following a stint on the track, as he landed the five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden for Pieta McAlister and the Stuart Crawford team.

Previously second in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last July, he returned after a 246-day layoff, where he was ridden by Stephen Connor, and the victor was positioned prominently throughout, staying on strongly into the straight.

He joined the leader and eventual runner-up Rock Dj at the final fence and pulled clear on the flat to win by a decisive three-quarters of a length.

Strong gallop

The five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden contest saw nine runners go to post, with Zagirlie (3/1 - 4/1) setting a strong gallop from flag fall that stretched the field early.

By the time they reached four out, it was evident that only Zagirlie and Castlegore remained in contention, but it was the Mick Goff-trained mare who proved strongest at the finish.

A five-year-old daughter of Walk In The Park, Zagirlie cut out most of the running in the colours of the handler’s wife Catriona.

She increased the tempo under the in-form Michael Kenneally from four out and produced a professional round of jumping when it mattered most. Turning into the straight with a two-length lead over her closest rival, she stayed on gamely to fend off a late rally from Castlegore, scoring by half a length.

THE open for novice riders promised plenty on paper, and it duly delivered, with seven runners going to post.

Vina Ardanza was sent off as the favourite and made much of the running, but it was City Chief (3/1) who landed the spoils with a late-surge to secure his first win in open company.

A £42,000 purchase by the Largy Bloodstock Syndicate, the eight-year-old son of Soldier Of Fortune was formerly trained by Nicky Henderson, under whom he won four races, including a Grade 2 novice chase.

Now with Raymond Scullion, City Chief was given a stalking ride by Darragh Hanlon, who tracked the leading pair for much of the race. A fluent leap five out brought him upsides the leaders and, although briefly outpaced turning in, he rallied gamely.

Drawing level with Vina Ardanza at the final fence, he stayed on resolutely to the line to win by two and a half lengths, giving Scullion his first victory as a handler.

Winning rider Darragh Hanlon said: “He was a talented horse in his day on the track and the boys said he was in great form coming here, so I was hopeful he’d retain a lot of that ability.

“He gave me a great spin, travelled and fenced fluently, and picked off the front pair well. He did it nicely today and hopefully can keep progressing from here.”

Horse to Follow

Mistyburn (G. Quinn): A €22,000 foal purchase, this son of Policy Maker was the least experienced in the field as he made his debut. Held up towards the rear throughout, he showed promise by staying on strongly in the closing stages, doing his best work late on. If he takes a step forward from this initial outing, he looks capable of getting much closer next time out.