Mervyn Torrens and owner Lucy McCallan enjoyed a success to savour when Hughies Grey benefited from a positive Mick Darcy ride to land the Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National European Breeders Fund Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.
The successful son of Houmayoun was the youngest of the fifteen competitors as just a seven-year-old and he only began his chasing career at Down Royal back in November. On just his sixth start over the larger obstacles and without a win to his name in that sphere, Hughies Grey led at the fourth and despite being pressed two out he asserted from the last to beat off the fellow locals Posh Bird (Ian Ferguson & Keith Donoghue) and Selection Box (Colin McBratney's top-weight with Eddie O'Connell up). Ian Ferguson's Bally Wall finished fourth whilst the first of the 'Southerners' home was The Book Thief in fifth.
Torrens said afterwards: "He jumped well but to be honest he's always jumped well. He didn't touch a twig today. He's been crying out for that sort of trip and I hope he could be an Aintree horse in time.
"We'll consider the Irish National now. I had him in the Thyestes but he didn't get in. I thought he'd have won his novice chase by now but he's run up against a few good ones."
