Track Keeps On as drama wipes out rivals

Keep On Track galloped on resolutely as drama unfolded at the fourth last in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Down Royal.

The Rudimentary gelding, making his first start for trainer Ian Ferguson, pressed leader Araglen Lad throughout in the two-miler and was left in the lead four from home when that rival fell.

In falling Araglen Lad brought down Five O'clock Tea who was travelling well in third. Heavenly Brook was also badly hampered and unseated and those in behind were all hampered to varying degrees by the fallers.

Reality Dose who had been sitting fifth, was the only one other than the eventual winner to escape the melee and was left second.

He came under pressure after the third last, however, and despite plugging on could only get within three-and-a-half lengths of the 7/1 winner, ridden by Liam McKenna.

Keep On Track, previously trained by Enda Bolger, had last been seen pulling up in a cross country event at Cheltenham in December and was tackling two miles for the first time since being well beaten in this race last year.

"We are finding out about him, he came to me recently. Enda Bolger has all his schooling done, credit to him. He was well tutored and schooled," said Ferguson.

"Enda told me he likes fast ground and banks courses. This was a finding out exercise. That was nice, it's always nice to get a winner.

"His jumping told, he loves jumping. I told Liam to be positive with him. He's a big, healthy horse. A banks race at Punchestown in May is the target. He's been placed there before."

The owner Bill Porter is based in Portstewart on the north Antrim coast.

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)