Burke-Ott steers home first racecourse winner

Andy Burke-Ott enjoyed his first racecourse winner on Inchidaly Copper in The Congratulating Honeysuckle Connections (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.

The six-year-old gelding soon led but was challenged by Katlaur after two out. He soon saw off that rival on the run-in, but Porky Rush kept him honest in the closing stages.

The winner saw it out by three parts of a length to reward support that saw him go off 11/4 favourite. Runner-up Porky Rush went off at 9/2 and was three and a half lengths in front of Townhill Penny

Trainer Mick Winters said: "A lot of young horses take time to mature and maybe the latter season point-to-points level off a small bit. He has matured into being a stayer and a galloper.

"We had him for the banks race and the young man (Andy Burke-Ott) broke his collarbone and he went back point-to-pointing.

"Andy is a good worker and a good, solid horseman. He's gutsy and he puts his heart and soul into it. They won three point-to-points themselves with him.

"That's his first track ride and first winner."