Long journey south pays off for Christie

The 8/13 favourite Winged Leader made the long journey from Fermanagh worthwhile when making all in the Join The Listowel Races Supporters Club Hunters Steeplechase.

Barry O’Neill’s mount asserted after getting over the second-last and went away to beat Warriors Tale (15/2) by four and a quarter lengths.

This was a third hunter chase win for the the 7-year-old to go with eight victories in point-to-points.

Winning trainer David Christie said: "He is a fine horse and we were all set to go to Stratford with him but he got injured on the walker and cut his leg and bruised himself. I thought that would be it, so we've had a job getting him back to here.

"We hadn't the time to take him away galloping but Barry (O'Neill) said he had loads of horse left today.

"He is going out on the grass this week and next season I think I'll aim him at Aintree.

"Aintree takes a horse that stays but has the gallop to go 2m4f and a big strong horse.

"He goes on any ground, is only seven and is by Winged Love and they are late developers so you'd be hoping there is more to come.

"It took me five hours to come down."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes