Desertmore House (centre) challenges He's Leading Me On at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Desertmore House readily opened his account over hurdles at Downpatrick last month and followed up in the J P C Rated Novice Hurdle, although Ricky Doyle had to work a lot harder on this occasion.
The point-to-point winner challenged He’s Leading Me On immediately after that rival had struck the front at the final flight and the Martin Brassil-trained gelding found plenty once asked some questions on the uphill run-in.
The 6/1 chance asserted in the closing stages to score by two lengths, with He’s Leading Me On just holding off Paidi’s Pasion for the runner-up spot.
Winning owner Bernard Carroll, who won the Grand National's at Fairyhouse and Aintree with Numbersixvalverde in 2005 and 2006, said: "I only bought him very recently. He's a decent horse and will be a good chaser. He was privately owned and an amateur rider just wanted to sell on.
"I was roaring and shouting. He gave him a great ride. He is gutsy.
"I don't know where he might lead us, he might come back here for the Ulster National in three or four years' time.
"He wouldn't be what Numbersixvalverde was. I'm still paying the bills for him!"
Quotes by Michael Graham
