Another Halford on the winner's board as Tom off the mark His retired Group One winning father Michael was on hand to see Tom Halford compete on their own horse, Saxon Cross, at Stowlin point-to-point yesterday. Today another Cormac Farrell inmate got the teenage amateur off the mark, 18/1 chance Kings Jet landing the C&C White Maiden Hunters Chase at Down Royal. Halford's mother Louise, herself successful in her own amateur riding days, was at the number one on this occasion, after Kings Jet (outsider of the field) in the familiar Douglas Taylor silks, beat Sampoet by eight lengths. There was three parts of a length back to market-leader Bold Fury in third. "I ride him out every day at home and he is very straightforward and made my job easy today," reported the 18-year-old winning pilot. "I'm in with Cormac six days a week. A big thanks to him for the ride, and to dad and mam for bringing me everywhere. Dad taught me most of the stuff I know to this day, so I'm delighted. "I'll keep riding away as an amateur for as long as I can and see how I go." On his dad Mick, who recently retired as a trainer, he added: "He is loving life, he doesn't have as much stress now!" The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined My Life Be Like, trained by D.M. Christie, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be showing signs of delayed recovery post race. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Suttons Hill trained by Richard John O'Brien was found to have blood at both nostrils post race. Mr D.G. Lavery, rider of My Life Be Like, trained by D.M. Christie, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise in running. Mr J.L. Gleeson, rider of Suttons Hill, trained by Richard John O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly. Richard John O'Brien, trainer of Suttons Hill, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge burst a blood vessel. (MG & EM)
