PAT King returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time this season with Johnny Sue (5/4f) in the Conduit at Tullyraine House Stud winner of two race. Returning from a spell of racing on the track, the son of Alkaadhem was never far from the pace and with a good jump at the penultimate fence, he hit the front taking over from pacesetter and eventual runner-up School Lane.

The Willie Murphy-trained gelding soon went clear and justified market support to run-out a very impressive eight-length winner in the colours of the winning handler, who said: “He’s a very good horse but for some reason it just hasn’t happened for him on the track. He will stay pointing for the time being and could maybe go for a hunter chase.”

Only four runners went to post in the A One Tyres Mares Open in which recent Loughrea open winner Sliabh Mhuire Lass was sent off the short-priced favourite. The mare looked set to justify favouritism having hit the front at the second last, but it was hereafter a strong challenge loomed in the guise of the John Murphy-trained Bloodstream (7/2 - 9/2).

Travelling strongly under the handler’s son Luke to lead before the last fence, the good-looking daughter of Scorpion quickened clear on the run in to record an emphatic eight-length success.

Murphy, who is based in Inch, Co Wexford, also bred the winner and stated: “We thought she would need the run as it looked a tough race but Luke said she was never better. She is a straightforward mare and enjoys her racing. We will keep her pointing, running in mares’ open company and see how things are going in the spring and then maybe go for a hunter chase.”

OVERDUE

The local father and son team of Sean and Noel McParlan combined in the concluding Wilsons Auctions six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden as Hi Murphy (8/11 – 4/6F) gained an overdue first success at his fourth attempt. Sent off the short-priced favourite following two notable efforts in the spring, the Peter Murphy-owned and bred gelding made all under a confident McParlan. Jamie Codd challenged on Pegase Amour approaching the last however the Gamut gelding was always travelling best and eased to victory by a neck.

A half-brother to the Paul Nicholls-trained hurdle winner The Reformer, Hi Murphy remained unsold when realising €16,000 as a three-year-old at the Tattersalls August National Hunt Sale in 2015. The winning handler later said: “He’s a real decent horse and jumps well. He will go for a winners race next.”

The sole newcomer in the line-up Whatcolourishe (3/1 – 4/1) stayed on powerfully under Paul Cawley on the run in to take the McIldowies Solicitors five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Trained in Tipperary by Harry Kelly, the daughter of Ask was held up in the early stages, as the John Ryan-trained favourite Le Hachette made the running.

Approaching the last fence Le Hachette held the advantage however an awkward jump gave her challengers an opening and the debutant finished best under a strong Cawley drive to lead close home. Out of dual chase winner Ardnataggle, Whatcolourishe scored by a length from Le Hachette with Maine Danger the same back in third.

“She was very good there but is green. She has been showing us plenty at home and is from a nice pedigree. Paul gave her a great ride,” commented the winning handler, who also indicated the Patrick Hayes-bred mare will possibly head to the sales. The daughter of Ask is a half-sister to multiple winners including Forgotten Gold, Frankie Figg and Three Faces West.

IMPRESSIVE

The opening Dennison Commercials Ltd four-year-old maiden saw Donnchadh Doyle’s Winged Leader (5/2 – 5/1) score impressively under Rob James. Settled in rear during the early stages, the son of Winged Love jumped his way into the race to challenge on the final circuit and travelling best at the penultimate obstacle, the Monbeg Syndicate-owned winner went clear before the last to record an easy six-length success from the Shark Hanlon-trained newcomer Old Jewry.

The winning rider stated: “He had a lovely run first time out but we couldn’t really get him back to the same form. He travelled well and really jumped his way into the race. He could have another run in winners’ company before heading to the sales.”

A €24,000 graduate of the Goffs Land Rover Sale in 2017, Winged Leader is out of an unraced half-sister to Robert Tyner’s bumper and point winner Fade In.

Pulled up on his only previous outing, the Colin McKeever-owned and trained Chosen Mate (5/2 – 5/1) put in a superb performance to take the Dennison JCB five-year-old geldings maiden under Derek O’Connor. The Well Chosen gelding hit the front four from home and scored easily by five lengths from No Hidden Charges.

McKeever said: “He was sore after his run in Punchestown so we took our time with him. He was only broken as a four-year-old. Derek got off him there and said he had a good blow and should improve for the run.”

The first produce and first winner out of an unraced Norwich mare, Chosen Mate is from the family of Flashy Buck and Milborough. McKeever indicated that his winner could run again in points if not sold.

Horse to follow

LE HACHETTE (J P Ryan): Sent off favourite last Saturday, this five-year-old mare has now been placed twice and has the scope to improve further considering she made a few costly errors during Saturday’s contest.

Christine’s challenge

THE Ray Nicholas-owned Eddies Miracle, winner of seven points and a hunter chase, finished third at Leopardstown last weekend in a charity race over an inadequate one mile and two furlongs. Part of the Corinthian Challenge, the 10-year-old gelding was partnered by David Christie, who is the son of the Derrylin-based trainer of the same name.The Corinthian Challenge allows participants to ride at three top tracks in Ireland and raise funds for Irish Injured Jockeys. Donations can still be made on David’s page on the Corinthian Challenge website.

Successful partnership

THE successful partnership of Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James have set a trend in the northern region taking the opening race at each of the four meetings this season. With the Doyle stables in good form recently enjoying a strike rate of 45% their supporters will be hoping this form continues at Loughanmore next week.

Thank you

HANDLERS and jockeys at the Loughbrickland point-to-point last Saturday thanked clerk of course Ross McCandless and the hunt, expressing their appreciation for the hard work put in to ensure safe going at the County Down venue.