Well-related winner keeps Doyle stable in early season limelight

We kicked off the weekend with competitive racing at Portrush on Saturday. The committee did a fine job in providing safe ground, and that was also the case with Sunday's fixtures at The Pigeons and Tinahely.

There was a familiar outcome to the opening race at the northern venue, the honours going to Donnchadh Doyle in a repeat of events at Toomebridge on the first day of the season and at Moira the following week. I felt I had a good chance on Braeside, who was second to the Colin Bowe-trained Golden Nomad at Toomebridge, but we were no match for the Monbeg Syndicate's Milan gelding Lone Rocket, ridden by Rob James. This one is from the family of Grand National winner Amberleigh House and was bred by top lady rider Maxine O'Sullivan out of a Beneficial mare who won over hurdles for her father Eugene.

I had better luck on Getaman, another horse I finished second on at Toomebridge. Trained by Colin McKeever for Wilson Dennison, he was an easy winner of the five-year-old maiden and heads for the sales now.