First Double For Local Lad Turley
Downpatrick lad Patrick Turley rode his first ever double when winning on the Brian Hamilton first timer Big Vincey and Gary Magil trained Bran Castle.
Big Vincey’s job was made easier when odds on favourite North Square fell at the third fence but after being given a patient ride and arriving to challenge after the last, went on to win well from Myoran Oscar in second and Cloudy Joker back in third.
Turley had to wait until the last race of the day to complete his double when coming from off the pace on Bran Castle to go in pursuit of Lord Hurcules who had tried to make all, Bran Castle came to the last with still two lengths to find but under a determined drive from Turley got up to win by a head.
There was controversy earlier in the day when the Armstrong Auctions winner of two was declared a void race after a false start was called but all but two of the riders continuing and finishing the race. Carmels Bay and Ben Crawford thought they had won but a stewards enquiry was quickly called and race voided. All the jockeys who had continued got a two day suspension.
The first race of the day was the Albert Bartlett maiden race for five six year old mares. Once Upon a Tyme went to post as 6/4 favourite and she was always in the bandwagon before going on two out and winning comfortably for William Thompson and Ian Ferguson. Second went to Jenny Make A Penny and third to Pound The Alarm
Not Before Eight was a warm order to win The Major O’Reilly Memorial Open Lightweight but it was an intriguing affair with Northern Alliance having his first run for a year in point to points for Tony Martin. Johnny Cresswell held up Not Before Eight while Harps Council and Essifer took eachother on upfront with a circuit to go, Not Before Eight joined the leaders before going for home three out. Meanwhile Northern Alliance had been creeping into contention before challenging between the last two fences, but Not Before Eight ran on well to win by two lengths with Northern Alliance Second and Essifer third.
Ben Crawford completed a whitewash for northern Jockeys when winning the seven year old up mares maiden on Howya Katie. Always prominent, she closed the challenge two out before leading over the last and stretching clear to win by 3twelve lengths beating Moore Church Lady in second and Buckfast back in third.
