Juniper Hill makes winning start over fences The Paul Nolan-trained Juniper Hill made a winning start over fences when getting on top close home to land the C Russell Auto Sales Beginners Chase at Downpatrick. Royal Reprobate cut out most of the running in this near three-mile stamina test but was headed at the second last by well backed evens favourite Betty Dutton. However, she in turn was challenged by Juniper Hill at the last and Sean Flanagan’s mount proved the stronger in the final 100 yards to score by a length and a half. The pair pulled 16 lengths clear of Butchers Bill in third. Flanagan said, "She has got a really, really good attitude. There were points when she was hurdling that she kind of half lost the way a little bit, but here today very enthusiastic - borderline maybe a little bit too much early on. She was very forward and brave. "You'd have to like the way she went to the line. "I think she came from a point-to-point yard as well, so obviously she would have had a lot of homework done. Very impressed with her now, she's not big but she has got a big heart. You'd have to say maybe she might have a better chasing career. "She has given away a bit of ground over the last two, a small bit, by jumping left, but she has jumped really well and has kind of held her own. "She is owned by a great crowd of lads (Moonlight Syndicate) from my local village, and they are knocking great sport out of her." Quotes by Michael Graham
