Some Man upheld the excellent recent record of trainer David Christie in the St. Patrick’s Day Hunter Chase at Down Royal by making all to land the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Hunter Chase.
A dual winner in the point-to-point sphere in the autumn, the eight-year-old appeared to appreciate a switch back to front running under new jockey Barry O’Neill which saw him jump for fun at the head of affairs in the Ray Nicholas colours.
Having shown some more promise at Thurles following a disappointing display at Naas, the close relation of Denman continued in that vein as he began to assert from the penultimate obstacle.
The favourite and recent Clonmel winner Complete Sizing, who had tracked him all the way around, was unable to raise his effort from this point which allowed Beat Hollow gelding to oblige by 12 lengths at a price of 9/4 to give the Fermanagh handler his fourth success from the last five renewals of the race.
Alpha Male, who had finished second to Winged Leader in last year’s race, warmed up for the upcoming Punchestown Festival by coming through to take third on his first run since then, whilst the similarly re-appearing Beyond Redemption offered some promise before weakening to fourth in the closing stages.
Following the success connections indicated that a trip to the Aintree Foxhunters next month could be on the agenda for Some Man who was suited by the drop back in trip and getting his preferred better ground.
