Hughies Grey does the business

ENTERPRISINGLY ridden by Mick Darcy, Hughies Grey broke his duck over fences in style when outstaying his 14 rivals in the featured Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National at Downpatrick yesterday.

The tough Mervyn Torrens-trained seven-year-old, having only his sixth run over the larger obstacles, was sent into the lead by Darcy at the fourth and, having jumped soundly, he powered up the Downpatrick hill to beat Posh Bird by four lengths with Selection Box filling third spot and last year’s runner-up Bally Wall fourth.

A delighted Torrens explained: “He’s a tough horse and was always going to be a chaser. He’s a great jumper and didn’t touch a twig out there.”