Suzanne Cox opened her training account when Norbrook swooped late to take the Boru Vodka Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick yesterday afternoon.
The seven-year-old gelding was produced with a well-timed challenge by Martin Mooney, heading Knockatotaun in the final strides to score by a head. Ms Cox (23), who took over the reins at her father Bunny's Dundalk yard at the beginning of this month, said, 'I spent two years in Dubai gaining experience, and have 17 in training. This gelding is a chaser in the making but also has a bit of speed.'
Fallow Trix was fancied to complete a double for Ms Cox in the three miles handicap chase, but the front-running grey had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Oneofourown. After the John Cullen-ridden veteran led before two out to beat the rallying Fallow Trix by four lengths, successful trainer Shane Donohoe said, 'He will go next for the 0-109 handicap chase at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting, a race that he's won twice before.'
Jessica Harrington added to her best ever season when saddling Allfourwhite to justify favouritism in the opening mares maiden hurdle. Barry Geraghty shrugged off the affects of flu to record his 83rd winner of the campaign as the six-year-old struck the front two out to beat Bontera by four lengths.
'She will be covered this spring probably by Bob Back, and deserves her chance now in the EBF Mares Hurdle Final at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday (April 20),' said Mrs Harrington.
William Rankin partnered his first winner under rules, adding to 14 in point-to-points, when Huncheon Paddy narrowly landed the odds in the maiden hunters chase. Ian Ferguson's charge was only third at the final fence, but dug deep on the climb to the line for a length verdict over Johann Sebastian.
'He is entered for the novice hunter chase at Aintree but I thought he would have won easier today,' said the Ballymena handler who also had news of his stablestar Joe Blake. 'He runs at Down Royal on Saturday and, all going well, will then go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown.'
Patberdec didn't go unnoticed in the betting ring before the two and three quarter miles handicap hurdle, and Pat Morris' charge stayed on well having led on the downhill run after three out to beat Scolboa by four and a half lengths.
Alan Magee
