Bobbina records easy maiden hurdle success

The Brian Hamilton trained Bobbina ran out a convincing seven length winner of the 'Free admission to Downpatrick Races to everyone this evening' Mares Maiden Hurdle under Andrew McNamara.

The 5yo daughter of Bob Back was sent off the 2/1 favourite for the 2m 5f contest after putting in two good efforts on her first two starts.

She finished a good third on her debut at Down Royal in June behind the smart duo of Top Madam and Letherbelucky.

That race was a mares novice hurdle but last time out she ran in a bumper over the course finishing six lengths second behind Queen Of The Hill.

Back over hurdles today she disputed the lead early on but was headed after a slow jump at the fourth flight.

She remained in second until she hit the front again after the third last. She went clear after two out and stayed on well from there to record an easy seven length success.

The 10yo Cool Annie ran on to take second at 8/1 for Derek Fox and Michael McElhone while Chiltern Hills was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Emmet Mullins for his uncle Willie.

Chiltern Hills wasn't fluent with her jumping throughout the contest and she made a mistake at the last and went left when struggling to chase down the winner.

The Christy Roche trained Gale Force Lucey was the subject of a major on-course gamble and was backed from 12/1 into 4/1 at the off.

However she never gave her supporters a run for their money and finished a disappointing ninth under Alan Crowe.

Winning trainer Brian Hamilton said afterwards: "She won handy. She's on the go a while so we'll give her a break after this and bring her back before Christmas.

"We'll see if we can get her Listed placed. She was bought as a broodmare and that's part of the job done.

"Andrew said she wasn't mad about going up and down the hills and will be better on a galloping track but it was all about getting the win.

"Hopefully she'll improve with a bit of time."

The winner is a full-sister to the Dessie Hughes trained Quiet Thought who won twice over hurdles and a novice chase.

She is also a half-sister to Glacial Sunset who won six times in the UK for David Arbuthnot and Father Andy who won three times (one point-to-point) for Michael Hourigan including the 2000 Tetratema Cup at Gowran.

After the race the Turf Club Vet reported to the Stewards that Gale Force Lucey (who was of course the subject of a major gamble) was lame post race.

(On-course reporting by Gary Carson)