Hard work pays dividends for Christie as Kadmer proves worth

David Christie’s prowess in sourcing talented newcomers was highlighted again when his latest purchase, Kadmer, made a winning debut for his Fermanagh yard in the Royal Court Hotel winners-of-three contest.

The nine-year-old, twice a winner for Ray Hurley, had proved himself in open company last term against the likes of Fenno’s Storm and Oighear Dubh, and despite lacking a recent run against three race-fit rivals, the son of Kadeed picked up best in the hands of Barry O’Neill to defeat Castletown-Geoghegan winner Star Wizard by four lengths.

“I thought a lot of him until he worked terribly on Tuesday. We spent all week trying to get him right. If it had been a hunter chase or a decent race I wouldn’t have run him,” said the winning handler. “I was the least confident about him, and he is the one who has ended up winning!”