Carter McKay makes debut for Sheikh Fahad

Pearl Bloodstock colours will be in action today at Leopardstown's annual Christmas meeting when Carter McKay tackles a National Hunt Flat race (15.35).

The grey son of leading French Jumps sire Martaline was a comfortable winner of an Irish point-to-point at Ballynoe in April when trained by Nicky Stokes. Within a few days of that victory he was on the boat to England where he was offered to the public at Goffs UK's Aintree Festival Sale (pictured right), and was bought by David Redvers for £160,000. Sheikh Fahad joined Redvers for the occasion, and it was soon revealed that Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins would handle the next stage of Carter McKay's career.

This was not the first link up with Mullins, for he trained Castello Sforza for Pearl Bloodstock before that horse was sold privately to leading Jumps owner J P McManus. Castello Sforza ran at the Leopardstown meeting two days ago and finished third in a hurdle race.

Mullins' son Patrick rides Carter McKay today in a field of eight runners.

Also running today is the Henry Candy-trained Sun Angel, who carries Qatar Racing colours in a nursery (14.55) at Lingfield. She was fourth at Kempton earlier this month under Luke Morris, but will be partnered by Adam Kirby this afternoon in a field of 14 runners.

The handicapper has dropped her mark by three to 70, and she has shown enough in races this year to suggest she will be competitive.