TEAL BRIDGE landed the three and a half mile Jameson Ulster National EBF Handicap chase at Downpatrick yesterday to provide Wexford born rider Conor O'Dwyer with his fourth success in Ulster's richest National Hunt contest.
Trained in Athboy under permit by Andrew Heffernan, father in law of Curragh based trainer Charles O'Brien, and carrying the colours of his wife Margaret, the 6 to 1 chance forged to the front jumping the third last and, despite a mistake at the penultimate fence, stayed on bravely in testing conditions to beat Tout Va Bien by six lengths.
"He finished third to Corymandel in a hunters chase on this day last year before winning at Down Royal last April. Since then he has really improved and relished the trip and the heavy going. It's straight to Fairyhouse now on Easter Monday," said Heffernan, who was recording his biggest success since acquiring a licence four years ago.
The Dublin surgeon will bid to become the first trainer to scoop the £20,000 bonus offered by the sponsors if his charge lands the Jameson Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Winning rider O'Dwyer went on to record a double with a pillar to post success on Tom Taaffe's Geallainn Ban.
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