For different reasons three jockeys will harbour fond memories of yesterdays fare at Down Royal. Andrew Leigh and Danny Howard gained success after enduring lean spells, much to do with injury enforced absences whilst for amateur, James Fahey, it marked the occasion of his first winner.
Twenty-year-old Leigh really has been in the wars in recent months. The 7Ib claimer broke his collarbone in a fall at Tipperary early last July and rode his first winner after that when successful aboard Jessica Harringtons Fire Queen at Downpatrick on August 30th.
However, most unfortunately he was left out of action again when fracturing both wrists only five days later, his mount being brought down at the last in a handicap hurdle at this venue.
Appropriately enough then, the son of Moscow Flyers minder, Eamonn Leigh, was back in the number one spot following the opening maiden hurdle and whilst he may have picked up a two day ban for excessive use of his whip, the Kildare rider is unlikely to have let that overshadow his delight as he partnered his first winner in five and a half months on Under Oath.
Danny Howard meanwhile has also had plenty of time on the bench lately, courtesy of breaking his leg in a fall in a Cork maiden hurdle on November 7th.
Indeed Howard only returned to the fold at Gowran on Saturday last and he didnt have long to wait for a win, easing down on Brave Villa from the final flight after making all to take the two mile handicap by ten lengths.
Kill Devil Hill, a well-supported odds-on chance for a most interesting novice hurdle, trailed in a tailed off last, but the Paul Nolan-trained five-year-old was subsequently found to have a respiratory tract infection.
That shouldnt detract though, from Doctor Lintons smoothly achieved success, the 5/1 shot leading travelling best from two out before going away under Tom Ryan to beat Romaha by a cosy two lengths. Previously victorious at Thurles only six days ago, Denis Cullen, speaking on behalf of trainer Michael OBrien, said the intention was now to go back to the Tipperary track in three weeks time.
Ryan looked sure to double his score on the day in the two and a half mile handicap chase as he found himself clear after the last aboard his brother Davids Amoreigh. However Andrewjames came home strongly under Mark Walsh to triumph by two lengths. The Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 15 is now on trainer, Peter McCreerys mind.
Balapour loves Cheltenham as evidenced by a 424 race record in three visits to the Festival and after he took the closing beginners chase, Oliver Brady said hed be sending the seven-year-old back there next month.
Flemensfirth has been siring winners with great regularity in recent times, with Wheresben being another for the Beeches Stud-based stallion in the bumper. A six-year-old newcomer trained by Monasterevan man, Seamus Fahey, the 20/1 outsider provided his son, James with an initial success in the plate.
