NORTH DOWN AT KIRKISTOWN SATURDAY

BOLD ENOUGH began a day to remember for Belfast businessman Ray Nicholas when he landed his second success of the season at Kirkistown

After an easy victory at the County Down ve nu e last month, the Jeremy gelding followed up with a bloodless victory in the INHSC open for novice riders

In-form Dublin rider Alex Harvey was full of confidence on the eight-year-old Bold Enough and once the pair overhauled long-time leader Woodbrook Boy there was only going to be one outcome

“He’s a very straightforward horse who goes to sleep during his races and jumped and travelled like the winner throughout,” Harvey said.

“All credit to David Christie He’s a brilliant trainer and I’m very lucky to get the opportunity on this lad.”

Victory was swiftly followed by Nicholas’s orange and green silks being carried to success by Ferns Lock in the Tetratema

Cu p at Go wr an Pa rk to complete an across-the-card double for the owner

There is no sign of the

Star performance

purple patch Paddy Turley’s stable has been enjoying slowing down, as the victory of Drumlee Spud in the O Prey Developments mares’ maiden was followed 48 hours later by Dento Des Obeaux thrashing his rivals in the maiden hunter chase at Thurles.

As with Dento Des Obeaux, it was Declan Lavery who was in the saddle on the Malinas mare, who proved herself the latest shrewd purchase by the Downpatrick handler after being bought for just €3,000 as a store.

Colin Bowe was the only southern-based handler to break the tight stranglehold the region’s handlers had on the Kirkistown prizes when he supplied Bertie Finn with his first success of the season, courtesy of the two-length victory of Tara Cove in the Old Manor Mill winners-of-one

No mat ch for the allconquering Focus Point at

Ballycrystal last month, the Ballinaboola winner found this level more to his liking when returning two lengths clear of the Caroline McCaldin pair Ballymagee and Dukehill McCaldin had better fortune in the Morrow Tyres older gel din gs ’ ma ide n whe n

“I was in front too soon and when something came to her she pulled out more and did it well,” O’Neill said. “She’s very smart.”

The reigning champion took advantage of the i njur yenforced absence of Rob James by extending his lead in the riders’ title race to 13 when

Lady In The Park proved half a length too good for El Champo in the INHSC & The Merry Elf maiden.

Success for the five-year-old continued a fine run of form for Dublin handler Tom Dreaper, who is now on the five-winner mark for the season.

Do nnc ha dh Do yl e is