Carter McKay shines on bumper debut

Carter McKay could be in line for a spring Festival date after a convincing victory in Pearl Bloodstock colours at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting today.

The five-year-old ran out a ready winner of a two-mile bumper, scoring for Willie Mullins' stable in the hands of the trainer's son, Patrick. The partnership took up the running with just over two furlongs to run, were pressed by the runner-up Bakmaj at the furlong pole, but asserted near the line to score by two and a half lengths. Third-placed Moyross was a further six lengths behind all eight ran.

Carter McKay was immediately listed as a serious contender for March's Cheltenham Champion Bumper, a race which Mullins' stable has won eight times over the years on the first occasion, in 1996, Mullins himself was in the saddle of winner Wither Or Which.

A point-to-point winner in April for the stable of Nick Stokes, Carter McKay was offered later that week at Goffs UK's Aintree Festival Sale, and knocked down to David Redvers for £160,000.

The Henry Candy-trained Sun Angel was also in action today, carrying Qatar Racing colours at Lingfield. She once again showed her consistency when finishing third conceding weight to the first two under jockey Adam Kirby.