Left to right Love Rory (loose), Anseanachai Cliste (Dylan Robinson, winner) and Tulsa Jack (Sean Flanagan)© Photo Healy Racing
The stamina in evidence when victorious in the four mile open at the Kinsale point-to-point back in June, came to the fore for Anseanachai Cliste (8/1) again today when he landed a thrilling success under Dylan Robinson in the Toals Bookmakers Ulster National E.B.F. Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.
A wining machine 'between the flags,' which earned him the title of Connolly's Red Mills Champion Pointer last term, Anseanachai Cliste was denied an opportunity in the Foxhunter Chase over at Cheltenham recently after his forced withdrawal under Rule (B) 6.1.
Representing Portadown, County Armagh-based Stephen McConville, and racing in the colours of his son, Michael (an amateur rider, in action at Portrush point-to-point yesterday), Anseanachai Cliste went a long way for making up for that disappointment with a game win in this three and a half miler.
Always to the fore, Anseanachai Cliste looked like he might have to settle for minor honours when Tulsa Jack and Definite Ruby shaped better over the final two.
Tulsa Jack ultimately gave the former Pat O'Connor and English runner most to do, but a head split them at the line.
Stephen McConville said: "He's one of these horses that just keeps galloping and staying. We had this race on our mind. We thought he might be very low in the handicap. We were running out of the handicap today thinking we maybe still have a chance. It worked out well.
"I wouldn't like to talk about Cheltenham at the moment. We'll see after the enquiry.
"We are here to enjoy the day. Please God it works out well. He just gallops and stays and showed that in the point-to-points and winning the four miler in Kinsale at the end of the year. He had a wee setback early on and we didn't get him back until Armagh point-to-point. After that things were coming together for him so we decided to come here.
"We'll have to sit down and have a look (at where to go). I'd say we will get a hike in the weights. The Stratford three and a half miler could be something for him.
"We had a good weight, the trip suited him and the undulating track suited him. We were fairly confident he would run into a place. To win is a bonus."
Rachael Blackmore, rider of Folsom Blue trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount found the ground too quick.
D.J. McInerney, rider of Love Rory trained by E. Bolger, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jinked outside the rail on the approach to the seventh fence and unseated him.
(MG & EM)
