Ballinrobe double for Fermanagh trainer

DERRYLIN trainer David Christie enjoyed a fine double at Ballinrobe on Monday night. The Fermanagh handler teamed up with Ballyclare jockey Sam Ewing to record the first of his brace with ‘Paidi’s Passion’ in the maiden hurdle. The winner was in mid-division for most of the race, but lost her place three from home, however, Ewing at his strongest soon had the mare travelling forward and second before the last stayed on in game fashion to prevail over ‘Queshi Bridge’, which had attempted to make all.

Ewing said: “I was always happy enough where I was, even though I needed to get a bit of a run going to the second-last. It was a step up in trip for her again today and she showed that she can stay. I was well covered up amongst horses and she jumped and travelled. I think she’ll have no problems when she goes into handicap company.”

‘Menindee’ (13/2 to 4/1), with Jordan Gainford in the saddle, completed the double in the first division of the handicap hurdle. The local horse attempted to make all, but was headed and only fourth turning into the straight, but to her credit rallied after the last to score in snug fashion.

Christie said: “I had these two races in mind and targeted this meeting because of the pair of two mile and six furlong races for ‘Menindee’ and ‘Paidi’s Passion’, as they’re two staying mares. They both looked as if they might be beaten and then they stayed on again. I was delighted when I saw that the races were going to be on the outer loop, as it was going to make it more of a staying track and they’re two point-to-point mares, who really want three miles. She had a problem in the spring, but I knew she had improved.”

Gainford added: “I’m delighted to ride a winner for Davy, as he was a great supporter when I was riding in point to points. That’s my second for him, as I won a hunterchase for him as an amateur on the track. She had a gasp at Downpatrick and I suggested he put a tongue strap on her.”

The Derrylin handler supplied an update on his trio of high class hunterchasers: “‘Ask The Man’ and ‘Vaucelet’ are due in shortly, but I’ll wait before bringing in ‘Winged Leader’ and the plan would be to start at Down Royal on Boxing Day. I have always thought of him as a possible Aintree horse and the Aintree Foxhunters would be the plan presently, however, he was only beaten in a photo finish by a neck in last season’s Cheltenham Foxhunters, so that’s another option – we’ll get him started and finalise plans as the season progresses.”