Ex-jockey Buchanan trains first winner Craigavon, Co. Antrim-based ex-jump jockey Peter Buchanan registered a first training success today, landing Fairyhouse’s Bobbyjo Chase Day February 21st Mares Maiden Hurdle with fast-finishing winner Soldierstown (28/1). A debut point-to-point winner last February, the seven-year-old mare was ridden today by Darragh O’Keeffe and while the pair was under pressure in fifth turning into the home straight, finished strongly. Leader, and 4/7 favourite, Noemic De La Vis held a clear advantage when untidily jumping the final flight, with Soldierstown powering home to edge ahead close home for a half-length success Buchanan, who was based in the north of England and bagged a Grade 2 success as a jockey, reported “That’s my first winner, I haven’t had a whole pile of runners yet and it’s nice for my father who bred the mare and it is a good family. He’ll be keeping her to eventually breed off. “I’ve had a few point-to-point winners and this mare won for me, as did her sister Rosevale.” He added “She needs to brush up her jumping, she’s just making life hard for herself as she was a bit slow early on. She’s tough and game and is a nice mare to go to war with. “In fairness she’s a three-miler and we got away with it over 2m4f today in dead old ground, which takes a bit of getting. She just put her head down and kept trucking away, so it’s great. “I ran her the last day at Limerick as I was trying to get a bumper win into her, but it just didn’t work out. At least she’s a winner now and if I could get a bit of black type it would be lovely.” Quotes from Gary Carson
