Image © Healy Racing
Journey With Me rolled back the years as he recorded his first success in two years when he prevailed in the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase.
Out of luck since winning a Grade 2 at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival in 2024, the now ten-year-old was bought out of Henry de Bromhead’s stable for €55,000 at last year’s Tattersalls Ireland Horse in Training Sale.
However, it had been a relatively underwhelming campaign for the Mahler gelding until he showed some more promising signs at Kirkistown last month when finishing a close third in a novice rider’s open.
Dropping back in trip for his first start in a hunter chase, David Doyle ensured he was never too far from the pace, which was set by the Lisronagh third, Whacker Clan.
Moving into a share of the lead at the penultimate fence alongside the favourite Asian Master, the pair swiftly left their ten rivals behind them, as they powered towards the final fence.
Little separated the game pair all the way up with run-in, with David Christie’s charge just prevailing by a neck, with Jetoile 14 lengths adrift in third.
“On declarations morning, I was initially riding him,” Doyle said.
“Then Rob James was meant to come down, and then I was back on him, so it is brilliant to ride a good horse like that, and for him to go and do that is brilliant.
“Before the second last, he was nearly waiting for the second horse; I was able to get him back on the bridle. He really enjoyed it there, so it was great to get him back in front again.”
The victory was some compensation on the day for the Fermanagh handlers, as his record-breaking star performer, Winged Leader, had to settle for second at Loughanmore on the same afternoon, when coming home a length behind Carnfunnock in the open.
Journey With Me, a high-class novice and Grade 2 winner in his younger days, wins a thrilling Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase for David Christie @DMC_Racing pic.twitter.com/m35AHKLxQV
— Cork Racecourse (@corkracecourse) April 6, 2026
