Starkie delights de Bromheads

Starkie gained notoriety 'between the flags' for a wayward display at Ballindenisk back in May when he eventually ran out at the last but he has the hang of what is required now as he showed when landing the Follow Nina Carberry On Twitter (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race under Davy Roche.

Roche wore the colours of winning trainer Henry de Bromhead's wife Heather. Starkie has an usual pedigree for the National Hunt sphere as he is a son of Putra Sandhurst but he clearly has an engine and he was well-backed for this two miler – 9/2 this morning into 5/2.

Himself and favourite Peking To Paris were split by the width of the track but they had it between them up the straight. It was soon apparent that Starkie was holding the upper hand and he eventually came home the three length winner.

De Bromhead said afterwards: "He's a grand horse that we've always liked.

"He was unlucky not to win his point-to-point. At Ballindenisk before the last there is a gap and all the crowd are there.

"He ran across the last and he just caught Derek O'Connor unawares.

"We ran him in a bumper (62 days over the course and distance when 5th) and were disappointed when he didn't finish out his race.

"However after that he broke out in ringworm and we backed off him.

"We brought him back then and now we're delighted. He's a real nice horse for the future, he jumps great and he works like a good horse.

"We might try him in a winners bumper and Davy said there that he gave a little bit of a blow turning in. He'll make a real nice hurdler next year." (GC & EM)