Vaucelet continued the good run of success that owner Jennifer O’Kane has been enjoying with the horses that she has in training with David Christie when landing the Virtual Racing on Boylesports App Maiden Hunter Chase on Monday at Down Royal.
Narrowly denied in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at O’Kane’s local course in Portrush during the autumn term on what was his debut for the Christie yard, the six-year-old son of Authorized was sent off as the 11/8 favourite.
Never too far from the pace under Ben Harvey, Vaucelet was produced with his challenge early in the home straight and having travelled well throughout, he looked to be going best down to the last, however he certainly did not have things his own way at the business end of the race.
50/1 outsider William Tyndale, who had shown form at the Co. Down venue in the past when second over hurdles at the Grade 1 venue in 2017, however he had failed to complete his two outings this season.
Daniel Scullion delivered that nine-year-old on the standside to race neck and neck with the favourite, only for Vaucelet to pick-up best in the closing stages and win going away by a length and three quarters.
Caroline McCaldin’s Ballyearl came back to the form that he had been showing in the autumn when he came through to take third ahead of Dento Des Obeaux who had injected an increase to the tempo heading out on the final circuit.
The victory of Vaucelet follows a double at Tramore recently for the Portrush hotelier O’Kane with Blue Markie and Winged Leader successful on that card, whilst for the Co. Fermanagh handler it was a welcome winner after his Marinero was beaten at Dawstown in the open on the same afternoon, following a lengthy trip to the Co. Cork venue.
