Treble for Carberry at Newcastle

Howard Johnson was quickly on the phone to Paul Carberry when his stable jockey Denis O'Regan broke a collarbone at Leopardstown on Sunday and having persuaded the Irish ace to come to Newcastle today, he provided him with a treble.

Carberry opened his scoring with a confident ride on Stormy Weather (5-2) to beat the odds-on Bocamix by two and a quarter lengths in the S. V. Rutter Builders Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Winning owner Graham Wylie said: "When Denis got injured, Howard had to move quickly to find a jockey for our runners today.

"We wanted an experienced jockey for Door Boy and of course we could not ask Paul to come over just for one ride - he flew into Leeds-Bradford airport early this morning and I sent a driver down to pick him up."

O'Regan is expected to be out of action for about three weeks, and Wylie went on: "We like Brian Hughes and Ryan Mania so hopefully they will ride for us, but we will be having runners down south too so we will get the best jockeys available."

As regards Stormy Weather, he added: "Paul said he did not like being out in front after taking the lead three out so he dropped him back behind the favourite.

"We wanted to get a win into him as we would like to run him in the handicap (Fred Winter) at Cheltenham."

However, Carberry picked up a one-day (February 8) suspension for using his whip in the incorrect place

Door Boy (4-9) had made a successful debut over fences at Aintree in November and jumped well again, heading the long-time leader Fabalu at the fourth-last and going on to win the Rely On Rutter Builders Novices' Chase by one and a quarter lengths.

That does not reflect his superiority, however, as he had gone five lengths clear on the run-in only to be eased right down in the last 50 yards.

Johnson said: "This is a nice horse, but wants good ground. He jumps well, I think his best trip will be two miles five furlongs and I want to run him in the Jewson at the Festival.

"So although I don't usually run my horses quick after a run, I might run him at Doncaster a week on Saturday as it will give him a better chance of getting in."

Carberry made it three for the Johnson stable when Blacks Bridge, who is also owned by the trainer, took the S.V Rutter Developments Novices' Handicap Chase.

There was little between Blacks Bridge (11-4) and Ockey De Neulliac at the final fence where the latter fell, leaving the Johnson runner clear of Pamak d'Airy and he went on to pass the post with six lengths to spare.

Johnson said: "Paul said he would have won anyway, but said he would be better on better ground and that we should stick to two miles with him."

Team Johnson were expected to strike again in the svrutter.co.uk Novices' Hurdle but 1-2 favourite Washington Irving was beaten fair and square by Karen McLintock's Bygones Of Brid (3-1) in the hands of Graham Lee.

McLintock said: "I was very pleased with that, there are quite a few possibilities for him next month and he could either go to Ascot or Sandown.

"I was pleased they put this meeting on as he is hard to get fit and I wanted to get a run into him without having to travel far.

"I hope to go to Cheltenham with him and Graham thought this was his trip (two and a half miles)."

Wylie said of Washington Irving: "You can't win them all. The ground was a bit too heavy and he was a bit novicey. Paul said a bit shorter trip would suit him."

Johnson and Carberry had to be content with another second place when Jack The Blaster was beaten a neck by Jim Goldie's 7-1 chance Stormin Exit, who was given a splendid ride by James Reveley in the Lombard Physiotherapy Handicap Chase.

Goldie said: "He jumped brilliantly, it was a good debut (over fences) taking on handicappers.

"It wasn't the plan to be in front (as soon as he was at the fifth) but he jumped his way there."

Goldie completed a double when Grandad Bill (4-1) won the S.V. Rutter Office Accomodation Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion under Richard McGrath.

Goldie went on: "We worked hard at home and despite the weather, New Year's Day was the only day the horses did not work though you are never quite sure how fit they are after a lay-off."