Handy for Headon in Hunters Chase

The David Christie trained Handy Headon ran out an easy winner of the Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Hunters S'chase at Downpatrick.

However, that doesn't tell the full story of the race, as favourite Er Dancer had looked a big threat when coming to grief 4 out.

The latter had briefly come under pressure early in the back straight but responded well and loomed up travelling well when exiting the race.

Handy Headon who had made the running up to that point was left clear to come home ahead of the staying on Whisper In Court

David Christie said: "He's brilliant (at jumping). Ben said coming in that he is a different horse on good ground and that was too soft for him.

"He was just getting tired towards the last. He has no turn of foot, he just gallops and jumps. His jumping wins his races and that has become very good.

"He didn't run until he was seven-year-old and then, with Covid and everything else, he didn't do a lot either. What else can you ask of him? He just does it, he has his limits but that's it.

"He has won two hunter chases and you would take that from any horse."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.