Boomslang © Photo Healy Racing
Rebecca Menzies sent a team of horses to Downpatrick's final meeting of the year from her dual-purpose yard near Sedgefield and was rewarded when the Maria Myco-owned Boomslang made a winning debut over fences in the Denvir's Of Downpatrick Beginners Chase.
Sent off the 11/4 favourite after attracting support in morning wagering, the seven-year-old by Schiaparelli chased clear leader Poets Cottage before heading that one three out and winged the last two fences for Ross Chapman before being pushed out to beat Andys Flame by seven lengths.
Menzies said: "I was told a few months ago that John Wade and Maria would be coming over to meet friends at this meeting. They booked hospitality.
"I kind of put together a few runners that might come and then a month ago I started to put the ball in motion. They didn't know anything about it.
"Unluckily, he saw his iPad two days ago. He's 80 years of age and he had a look on his iPad and he never normally would see, but he saw it. It kind of wrecked the surprise of having runners here.
"We brought five over and, unfortunately, the vet pulled one out which I thought had a right chance, My Friend Yeats.
"We are going back with a winner and are very happy.
"From what I could see, he jumped very well. His schooling has been class at home. He was good and brave. He hit the front very early for him - in the past he would look around a little bit, but he looked very genuine here and he has obviously enjoyed the track.
"We have had a great time today and Downpatrick have been really good. Ruth (Morrison) and her team have done a great job looking after us all."
When asked if she would be encouraged to come back, she replied: "Definitely - logistically it is not that difficult for us to come over. We obviously go through the north of England.
"The crowd here is brilliant, lovely racing people.
"James Griffin has helped me a lot with the entries. I thinks it's the first time that he has commentated on one of our runners, we have been friends for a long time. I think he enjoyed that a lot as well."
Quotes from Michael Graham
