Point-to-point second Flame Bearer looked a nice recruit to racing on the track when winning the Best Wishes For The Festive Season (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Thurles.

Winning owners Linda Mulcahy and Mary Wolridge had second placers lately with Reality Cheque, Lifetime Ambition and Port Stanley. A change of luck arrived in style here for the red and white check silks as Flame Bearer travelled strongly on the pace under Pa King.

Pat Doyle ’s charge went away to win his race in the straight, which he eventually did by five lengths from Fais Ton Chemin

The front-running runner-up looked like he’d drop right out approaching the straight, and he appears a real stayer of the future judging by the way he ran on well again inside the final quarter mile.

"Myself and Donnchadh Doyle owned him when he ran in his point to point and we always knew he was very good but Jack (Doyle, son) got broke up so I sent him to Donnchadh to train," said Doyle.

"We were very disappointed the day he was beaten in his point to point when he didn't jump well enough.

"The horse is not for sale and I own him in partnership with two very good friends."

(TW & EM)