THE Mid Antrim hunt filled the gap left by the cancelled Loughbrickland meet in the northern region and, on a second very enjoyable afternoon in two weeks, it was a well-attended meeting.

The entry of only 45 was somewhat disappointing but the large number of horses which were seen schooling after racing will have aided the hunt’s financial return for the afternoon and indeed provided plenty of encouragement for the remainder of the season.

In the opening Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden Mark O’Hare partnered Whipcord (5/2 favourite) to score for Jerry Cosgrave.

This son of Tikkanen was one of three runners in the race for the once northern-based stallion and he had previously shown ability when third last season at Largy behind Ballycross, beaten less than two lengths.

Always close to the pace, the winner jumped notably well and when challenged by Minmore Present in the closing stages, he showed that there was plenty in reserve to go on and score by a length and a quarter.

The sponsors’ debutant Bally Gilbert stayed on eye-catchingly in third.

Following the race Jeremy Maxwell, who once stood the stallion Tikkanen and represented the late winning owner Brian Kilpatrick who enjoyed much success over the years when owning horses such as Sabin Du Loir amongst others, indicated that this winner would now be sold.

“Brian was a very good friend of mine and this is one of the last of his bunch. The dam has now bred four point-to-point winners but I gave her away this week as she had two barren years.”

Cosgrave saddled a double on the day when his Clondaw Frisby (1/1 favourite) took the concluding Harbourview Investments older maiden for novice riders.

This six-year-old son of Flemensfirth had been second at this course a year earlier. Closely related to Irish Grand National winner The Bunny Boiler and a half-brother to the David Pipe-trained six times winner Alderluck, he was ridden here by John Doyle to a five length success from Pointview Gale.

The 22-year-old was partnering his second winner here and is based with Donnchadh Doyle. It seems likely he will be much sought after in novice riders’ races this season as he was patient throughout before delivering his challenge on the inside coming to the final fence.

American Image collided with the winner in the air at the last and fell when looked set for second and allowing this winner to come home a clear winner.

In the O’Connor, Kennedy & Turtle maiden race for five-year-old geldings it was the sponsor of the first race, Wilson Dennison, who emerged with victory.

Ballymalin (3/1), a son of Presenting ridden by Derek O’Connor had been a little disappointing according to the owner last season. “We almost gave up on him. He is from the family of Atone and Aces Four and we felt he should be decent. He really improved over the summer and has returned a much stronger horse. I am delighted with that.”

O’Connor made much of the running here and was strongly pressed by the well-supported Relkwood after the second last but seemed to have his measure at the last before pointing debutant Ticinese began to close rapidly.

The line came in time for the winner to provide O’Connor with his fourth winner of the season from just 15 rides.

promising

In the McIntyres Tools & Equipment mares’ maiden Colin Bowe supplied the winner in Lastbutnotleast (3/1) who had been a promising second last season at Tralee behind Savingforvegas. She was beaten 20 lengths on that occasion but was eased down notably and had run very well.

Rob James took the mount here as Barry O’Neill remained loyal to the David Christie-trained Yewtree Girl who had been second at the venue two weeks earlier.

O’Neill found his mount keen in the early stages and she had the field well strung by half-way. The advantage reduced from five out and the winner easily swept by across the top of the course and never looked in any danger to get the former novice champion rider off the mark for the season with an eight-length win for owner Brendan P. Walsh.

O’Neill teamed up with Christie half an hour later in the Wilson Auctions Open Lightweight with You Must Know Me (1/6 favourite) who had won here two weeks earlier. Only four went to post here and the winner was sent off at short odds which may well turn out to be the shortest priced winner all season.

In any race his supporters had no concern as he easily dismissed his rivals and was never allowed to extend under his rider who allowed him coast to an eight-length success over One Cool Clarkson for owner Alistair Corrigan.

Another horse who followed up a win here on the opening day was Quiet Account (1/2 favourite) under Noel McParlan for Colin McBratney.

With the injury to Jamie Codd delaying proceedings at that fixture, McParlan missed the ride as he had to leave for the bumper at Navan but enjoyed the mount this time taking over from his deputy Jason McKeown.

The son of Jimble made much of the running and completely outclassed his rivals to take this Sunstart Bakery winner of two contest in the colours of Frances Savage.

He is beginning to look like a potential top notch pointer as he has now run twice this season and won each time by 15 lengths and has yet to be extended.

He is rated 94 over hurdles but looks a natural at this discipline and he could well step up successfully to open company.

Ben back in action

Former northern champion Ben Crawford returned to action at Toomebridge. The 28-year-old is currently pre-training about 20 horses for his brother Stuart and admitted to missing race riding last season. He is very much looking forward to the season ahead.

Broughsane bound

The Mid Antrim have already staged two meetings at their north Antrim track at Toomebridge this autumn, one scheduled and one a late addition. Their spring fixture will take place at their new track in Broughshane, Co Antrim. This track saw one of last season’s top four-year olds emerge, Born Survivor, he is now in training with Dan Skelton and is awaiting his first start for new connections.