Dead-heat gets local trainer Courtney off the mark under rules

Local trainer Eamon Courtney saddled his first winner under rules as Da Big Fella shared the spoils with Christmas Jumper in division two of the Dawn Hi & Lo Handicap Hurdle at Killarney this afternoon.

The Muckross trainer was thrilled to record the landmark 9/1 victory at his home track and it was a real family success as the home-bred gelding is owned by his wife Valerie.

The seven-year-old was never far from the pace under Phillip Enright, recording a double on the day, and led early in the straight before being joined by easy-to-back 9/2 chance Christmas Jumper on the line.

The latter would have been an unlucky loser as the top-weight was badly hampered before three out but rallied well for Rachael Blackmore to earn a dead-heat.

Courtney said, “That’s my first winner and I train just down the road in Muckross. We bred the horse ourselves so we are delighted. My wife Valerie had horses before with Tom Cooper and a few others.

“He’s a horse that was showing ability at home but not on the track. He has really improved this year.

“We have six riding out at the moment all our own. I have the licence three years and we’ve had a few point-to-point winners.

“As a foal he was a big fella and that’s how he got the name. He’s crying out for a fence.”

Patrick Harty, joint trainer of Christmas Jumper along with his father Eddie, said, “Rachael said he was lucky not to come down at the incident off the bend. He had time to gather himself together and he was very brave all the way to the line.

“Hopefully he’ll win another one. He’s just starting to learn things and was running the wrong way around as a younger horse.

“A lot of the credit has to go to Nicolas Terrassin who has been riding him out and has done a great job getting him settled.

“We thought this track and trip were ideal and he’ll go on any ground.”