Eoghain Ward

THOSE spectators who ventured to Kirkistown on Saturday witnessed Valmy Baie produce one of the all-time great performances in an open lightweight.

Although only four horses went to post for this contest, they included Clondaw Frisby who had chased home the talented Grand Jesture at Loughbrickland on his previous outing and that son of Flemensfirth had run Valmy Baie to a neck at Taylorstown last spring.

Also among the line-up was a rejuvenated former champion pointer in Mr Bolt. Having being top horse two seasons ago, he had a disappointing term last season but in-form handler Sean McParlan was confident he had him back to top form here.

As they jumped off, Valmy Baie who can be tricky in the preliminaries as he demonstrated at Grennan last month, stepped away from the tape and went the wrong way. The other three runners set off leaving the short priced favourite at the start.

Having watched his rival’s jump the first fence, Barry O’Neill finally managed to get his mount to go in pursuit. Handler David Christie was watching the race just after the first fence and O’Neill looked across for guidance as to whether it was worth continuing and apparently the trainer indicated to his rider to continue and see how he got on.

The free-running seven-year-old was soon eating into the lead of over a furlong which he had afforded to his rivals, and incredibly by fence six, with the field having travelled just over a circuit of the course, he had taken his customary position at the head of affairs.

This was a feat in itself as Noel McParlan and Mark O’Hare had spotted the favourites antics from the outset and had endeavoured to go a strong pace.

Once hitting the front, the French-bred Crillon gelding did not relent, and racing keenly, he continued to lead before being joined at the penultimate fence by Mr Bolt. O’Neill gathered his mount together and he won with a bit in hand in the fastest time of the day.

To set off at a huge margin behind proven horses at open level and not only win but clock the days fastest time having been a furlong behind was a truly massive effort. It is very rare that a winner sparks a round of applause of such enthusiasm from a crowd, but that is exactly what Valmy Baie received as he went by the line.

It was a display which will be remembered for many years to come and very few will ever match in open lightweight company.

While Valmy Baie’s behaviour at the start of races could be a bigger issue in future races, this win stamped him as a top-class open horse of his era and indeed any era.