Mike O'Connor puts a first jumping winner on the board Crimson Chief enjoyed the good, good to yielding in places going at Downpatrick to give jockey Mike O’Connor a first jumps success in the Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle. The rain that arrived at Tramore last time did nothing for Crimson Chief’s chance when he disappointed in a handicap chase at the Waterford venue. Waterford is of course the home county of owner/trainer/breeder John Morrison, and it was a long trek to Downpatrick for Crimson Chief, along with his stable companion Arch Melody that goes in the 3.40. However that effort paid off as despite proving a bit of a handful pre-race the successful Arcadio gelding found enough on the run-in to fend off Paula’s Prayer by a neck. Favourite Gone Racing was a bit keen and didn’t always impress with his jumping. He ended up six lengths back in third. “It was a good opportunity for him. He was travelling well — a track like this will suit him down to the ground and the ground suited him as well,” reported O’Connor. “We were positive going into the race. He finished off very well, he likes a nice, stiff track.” O’Connor is from Curraglass in County Cork and he’s currently attached to the Henry de Bromhead yard. D.J. Hand, rider of Pretty Little Liar trained by David Peter Dunne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the second last. (MG & EM)
