Margie McLoone

THE Hard Hat was a most apt winner of the Erne Insurance Services ladies’ lightweight at Necarne Castle on Friday evening as he was purchased last summer by his trainer David Christie and the late Rodney Watson.

Now running in the colours of the Sporting Pointers Syndicate, which comprises many of Watson’s friends, the Beneficial gelding was preferred in the market to the Cheltenham Foxhunters’ fourth Carsonstown Boy (2/1-4/6) who made most of the running until unseating his rider at the last with a circuit remaining.

Left in front, House Of Bourbon was joined by The Hard Hat (5/2-3/1) as they reappeared at the top of the hill. There was little between the pair racing down to the second last fence but, on the inner, The Hard Hat jumped that the better under Maxine O’Sullivan before holding off the tenacious House Of Bourbon by three lengths.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this but, if his owners wanted a weekend away, we could head for Kinsale,” said Derryline-based Christie. “We’re also thinking of running him in one or two of those veteran chases.” In spite of this being The Hard Hat’s 14th outing of the season, he looked really well both before and after the race.

LEADERBOARD

Noel McParlan drew level with Derek O’Connor at the top of the leaderboard in the northern region riders’ table when landing the Clock Tower winners of three for geldings with Cousin Bill.

Making eye-catching progress down to the third last, the 5/1 (from 4/1) chance challenged the disputing Rosc Catha and Honourable Exit at the next. Although it took him a few strides to get away from that pair, he did so easily enough and was always holding Honourable Exit close home, winning by a length and a half.

Cousin Bill, who may return to the track where he is well handicapped over hurdles, is trained for Mayobridge’s Colin White by Sean McParlan who was saddling his eighth winner of the season from just 17 runners.

O’Connor didn’t enjoy the best of evenings, particularly so in the Albert Bartlett five-year-old geldings’ maiden where he was unseated at the start from the hampered Moscow Prices.

Here, we saw a smart performance by newcomer Drumconnor Lad (8/1-6/1) who, prominent throughout under Jason McKeown, was sent past the longtime leader Letskeepit Simple as they swept around to the home straight, easing away to beat that rival by 12 lengths.

A good-looking son of Winged Love, Drumconnor Lad had been purchased at the start of the week from his breeder Martin Abernethy by the Lakeview House Stud partnership of Graham Keyes and his son David. The Glenavy owners sponsor McKeown and bought this winner on his recommendation.

Since his purchase, Drumconnor Lad, who was previously in the care of Michael Millar, has been transferred to the Caledon yard of Andy Oliver who commented: “I can’t claim much credit here as I’ve only had him a few days but the good news is that the horse is staying with me.”

NEWCOMER

Another newcomer, Arctic Lady (7/2-9/4), ran out the impressive winner of the opening Devenish Nutrition four-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of the in-form Jimmy O’Rourke.

French Impressions took the 11-runner field along until headed four out by the always-prominent Nicat’s Benefit who led a closely-packed group of eight down to the penultimate fence. Arctic Lady was sent to the front as they began the sweep around the lower end of the course and, although the McParlan-ridden Milan Dancer stayed on well up the ramp to be just a length down at the post, Arctic Lady won with plenty in hand.

In common with the runner-up, the winner, who is trained by the absent Denis Murphy for Tom O’Sullivan, is by Milan. From the family of last weekend’s Auteuil winner Ballynagour, the bay is a half-sister to the four-time winning Earth Planet (by Kayf Tara). Derek Pugh, INHS representative for the two-day Fermanagh Harriers’ meeting, is consigning a full-brother to Arctic Lady to next month’s Derby Sale at Tattersalls.

With only his terrier Bobby for company, Adrian Maguire had a long drive from Lombardstown to Irvinestown but was rewarded when the Corky Carroll-partnered Falling Leaf (4/1, steady) claimed the Guinness UDV five and six-year-old mares’ maiden.

The 19-runner field was soon well spread out with Hillview Chloe heading the longtime pacesetter Lola Kabana before the second last. Having made smooth progress to be on the heels of the new leader at this point, Falling Leaf made her bid at the final fence and, although pecking on landing, stayed on well to score by a length from Hillview Chloe, a half-sister to Arctic Lady.

Maguire trains the winner for Bundoran couple Kathleen and Liam Kennedy. A strong attractive chesnut by Sandmason, Falling Leaf was purchased privately from her breeder Paul Rothwell. From the family of Sean Ogue and Flying Ferret, she is out of a Hubbly Bubbly half-sister to Macs Valley.

MARES’ MAIDEN

Also out of a Hubbly Bubbly dam, Celtic Passion (5/1-6/1) landed the concluding Donnellys Motors older mares’ maiden under Barry O’Neill who ended the northern campaign on the 17-win mark.

Having her second start between the flags following a 15-run track career, the Flemensfirth chesnut was given a well-timed ride by O’Neill who had her in a challenging position racing to the second last where a super jump on the outer saw her head the always-prominent Yewtree Girl.

Sent on at this stage, Celtic Passion had the race in safe-keeping at the last, coming home three lengths clear of Redemption Island. The winner, whose dam Still Bubbly is a half-sister to Nil Desperandum (by Un Desperado), is trained by Colin Bowe for owner/breeder Brendan Murphy.