Unusual pedigree behind Clarence House Chase hero First Flow

The mud-revelling Clarence House Chase victor First Flow stepped up at Ascot on Saturday for not only a first top-level win for himself but his American-bred sire Primary.

Primary, a son of the great Giant's Causeway, was a high-class performer for David Loder and then William Haggas, winning two seven-furlong events at two before moving to Haggas's yard in December of that year.

Having won Sandown's Group 3 Classic Trial on his first start at three, Primary added a third in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes and a Listed win to his CV before being retired in 2006.

Having stood at Knockmullen House Stud for a private fee since 2008, the 18-year-old is now based at Drumhowan Stud, where he covers sport horse mares.

First Flow in full cry at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Gladys and Eamon McArdle's operation - which is based in County Down - houses a number of warmblood stallions, and Primary was fully approved by the Horse Sport Ireland panel in March 2017.

Primary's first crop of sport horse foals are now three-year-olds and have been described as "well muscled and strapping models and active, with a lot of expression".

While First Flow is easily Primary's leading offspring over jumps, he has also sired a number of other winners, including Prime Venture, Grade 3-placed over hurdles and recently fifth in the Welsh Grand National for Evan Williams, plus winners Thereisnodoubt and Plain Talking.

First Flow was winning for the first time at the top level, having earned a Grade 2 triumph in the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock just over three years ago.

The Kim Bailey-trained nine-year-old - who is out of a half-sister to Maghull Novices' Chase victor Ballinclay King in Clonroche Wells and was bred by Kathleen Flood - has won seven of his 11 chase starts to date and has been placed in the other four.

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