Hamilton has another nice youngster

Favourite backers had a pretty trying evening at Downpatrick and those trying to 'get out' on Crofton Trail (4/7) were left disappointed as Nina Carberry's mount came up short behind Big Kern in the concluding Music Makers (Ladies) INH Flat Race.

Lisa O'Neill was always to the fore on Brian Hamilton's Big Kern and after leading a furlong and half out the Bach gelding kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to see off the 'hot-pot' by two and a quarter lengths.

Hamilton said: "I always thought he was a nice type. He was unlucky it took so long for him to win a point-to-point but it took a long time for him to settle.

"We might sell him now but he's tough and he keeps galloping. You would think he has a future as all he'll do is improve." (MG & EM)