Honey Bach is pushed out to victory in the bumper at Down Royal under Declan Lavery© Photo Healy Racing
Declan Lavery recorded his second winner in as many day (won the bumper at Gowran yesterday aboard Melanjo) as he took the last at Down Royal this afternoon, the Albert Bartlett Point-To-Point Series Final Flat Race, aboard Honey Bach for trainer Brian Hamilton (fourth Northern trained winner of the afternoon).
The winning 5yo daughter of Bach had three point-to-point runs to her name before today, finishing second on her debut at Tyrella in January, pulling up on her next start at Killaloe before finishing in the runner-up spot again last time out at Largy last month.
Having opened on track at 5/1 the winner was well supported and was sent to post the 7/2 second favourite.
The 11/8 favourite Brand Ambassador (who won his point-to-point at Largy last month) for Gordon Elliott and Kevin Power hit the front four furlongs from home but he was headed by the winner over a furlong out as she stayed on best to score by a length and three parts at the line from the favourite back in second.
The pair went thirteen lengths clear of the third placed horse who was the 14/1 shot Catch Me Up for Stuart Crawford and Mark O’Hare.
Winning trainer Brian Hamilton said afterwards: "She is a full sister to Open Up Your Heart (who won her bumper over the course in February of last year and is also trained by Hamilton).
"I only have her six to eight weeks. She works very well at home and I was pleased with the bit of rain that fell.
"I thought she would win at Largy point-to-point (last time out) but her jumping let her down there."
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham
