Rexem makes all in the bumper to please punters

Rexem sent favourite backers home happy when making all for an easy victory in the Great Outdoors Flat Race at a well-attended Downpatrick.

The Leading Light gelding won a point-to-point for John Berry before joining John McConnell last winter and was sent off the 5/4 market leader here having been placed on both previous bumper starts.

Ben Harvey kept it simple from the front and his mount took command inside the final quarter mile for an easy seven and a half lengths victory over the staying on Henhouse Glen Na Tara was a further seven lengths away in third.

McConnell said, "We were very disappointed with getting beaten the first day here. His work has been really exceptional at home.

"He was a bit keen the last day so we decided we would make it on him. He was impressive. I don't know what sort of race it was but he did what he had to.

"He said he didn't have to look around he was going that fast up the hill.

"People said he was a lucky winner of his point-to-point, I'm not sure he was as he was catching the horse in front in the point-to-point.

"He'll stay further. He's a really good jumper as well so he is really one to look forward to.

"We may be tempted to go for a winners' bumper. we'll see. He's still a young horse and he's probably only coming to himself now."

Quotes by Michael Graham