Double delight for Dempsey
Alan Dempsey dominated proceedings at Ayr this afternoon with a 59-1 double courtesy of Kempski and Chief Dan George.
A tumble from Forever Eyesofblue in December 2004 left Dempsey in a sorry state with injuries to his teeth, nose, eye sockets and jaw, sidelining him for three months.
But those torrid memories have been consigned to history and the rider took his tally to eight for the season with two well-ridden winners on the seven-race card.
The brace was initiated when Chief Dan George (13-2) confirmed recent running with Double Default as the pair crossed swords in the Dawn Construction Novices’ Hurdle.
The Jimmy Moffatt-trained winner had prevailed by three-quarters of a length from the runner-up at Hexham earlier this month, but extended the winning distance to two lengths this time.
Moffatt’s father Dudley said: “He is not a bad horse and we are very pleased with him.
“We were very confident coming here as we thought the trip would suit him. Last time over three miles the other horse almost outstayed us, but ours has a bit of foot and we fancied him over the shorter trip.”
The jockey’s double was completed in the Hogmanay Ball At Ayr Racecourse Handicap Hurdle as Kempski (7-1) gamely rallied after being headed at the third-last to see off top weight Junkanoo by two and a half lengths.
Kempski’s trainer Rayson Nixon said: “He was off a low mark and has won two now so we will have to see what the handicapper does, but he could come back here on January 2 as you have to run them when they are fit and well.”
Dempsey reflected: “It was a bad accident but that is all in the past now and I am looking to the future.
“I get a lot of good rides from Howard Johnson and I am looking forward to riding a horse of called Euro American for Edwin Tuer at Wetherby on Boxing Day.”
Fearless Foursome completed a hat-trick in style and provided Mark Bradburne with a win on his only ride of the afternoon in the Come Racing On 2nd Jan Handicap Chase.
The well-backed 13-8 favourite cruised clear after pinging the final fence to beat Flaming Heck by five lengths.
Trainer Nick Alexander said: “He was well handicapped at the start of his winning run and although there is a nice race at Wetherby next week, I will probably give him a break now.”
Sam Thomas partnered his first winner at the track with a forceful performance aboard the Venetia Williams-trained Coach Lane in the Tom And Janie Married In The Morning Novices’ Chase.
The jockey had been out of luck on his previous five mounts at the Scottish venue, but got on the scoreboard after keeping the 8-11 favourite up to his work to collect by half a length.
Blackburn striker Francis Jeffers’ colours were carried to an all-the-way success by Tell Henry in the Simpson & Shaw “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.
Jeffers, who is currently sidelined from Premiership duty due to a groin strain, was not present to see the 8-11 favourite oblige a shade cosily under Graham Lee.
The six-year-old collected by 11 lengths from Gunadoir and winning trainer Martin Todhunter said: “The horse was with Evan Williams, but Francis was looking for another trainer and Graham, who is a friend of Fran, recommended me.
“Hopefully, he will make a nice novice chaser next year.”
Morgan Be followed up two satisfactory appearances over fences when getting off the mark at the third attempt in the 2007 Ayr Annual Membership Now Available Beginners’ Chase.
Richard McGrath drove the 13-8 chance into the lead approaching the final fence and his mount dug deep on the run-in to hold the determined challenge of the front-running Baron Monty by a neck.
The stewards looked into possible interference at the last obstacle between the pair, but left the placings unaltered.
Trainer Kate Walton said: “He jumped well and is learning all the time. He had a nice introduction with his runs at Carlisle and Hexham, but I think he will have a break now as he has had three runs on bottomless ground.”
Willie Young saddled his first winner for 981 days when Roadworthy (12-1) ground out victory under PJ McDonald in the Merry Christmas From All At Ayr Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
