THE 10 bookmakers found themselves in the red at the Kirkistown point to point on Saturday, with the majority of winners well supported. The Gerald Quinn trained ‘Broughshane’, with Northern Champion rider Noel McParlan aboard, made an impressive winning debut in the opening youngsters maiden.
The winner went to the front leaving the straight for the final time and set a powerful gallop and had the race in keeping some way from home.
McParlan said: “That display is what I was expecting from him today.”
The much-touted favourite ‘Kabuschka’ proved a major flop and pulled up.
The dual local champion rider doubled up on the day when landing the finale on the Colin McKeever trained ‘Iddergem’, which endorsed his potential having finished runner up on his debut, his mount jumping very well under a patient ride to assert two from home.
Owner Wilson Dennison said: “Like all of mine, he is for sale and will go to the bloodstock sales if not sold beforehand.”
Rob James was another rider in top form, recording a treble including winning the open race feature on the David Christie trained ‘Some Man’ following a patient ride, but jumped into the lead at the penultimate fence and quickly stretched clear.
James followed up claiming the mares winners contest on the Donnacha Doyle trained ‘Beyondapproach’. The winner beat favourite ‘Tamlaght Eyes’ decisively, with a good display of jumping and leading two from home, soon had the event settled.
Doyle said: “She will stick to winners races meantime.”
James got off the mark when steering the Shark Hanlon trained ‘Value Till Dawn’ to victory in the mares maiden, despite some indifferent jumping but led prior to the last for an easy win.
The Peter Fahy trained ‘Sageburg County’ with Declan Lavery aboard made a winning debut in the geldings maiden, when making ground from three out to lead at the last, then hold the late challenge of second ‘Speed Gang’.
RESULTS
Saturday, February 12
Kirkistown point to point
First Race: 1) Broughshane (Noel McParlan) 3/1; 2) Copshill; 3) Ballabawn. 7 ran. 8 – 15.
Second Race: 1) Value Till Dawn (Rob James) 7/2; 2) Celebrating Katie; 3) Paidi’s Passion. 7 ran. 4 – 5.
Third Race: 1) Sageburg County (Declan Lavery) 6/1; 2) Speed Gang; 3) General Officer. 10 ran. neck – 3 1/2.
Fourth Race: 1) Some Man (Rob James) 11/8; 2) Poli Roi. Only two finished. 4 ran. 20 lengths.
Fifth Race: 1) Beyondapproach (Rob James) 3/1; 2) Tamlaght Eyes; 3) Nothinbuttime. 5 ran. 18 – dist.
Sixth Race: 1) Iddergem (Noel McParlan) 5/1; 2) Dunboy Lad; 3) Carole’s Templer. 10 ran. 8 – 2.
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