IT WAS a day that both James O’Connor and Ed Henderson will remember as they both rode their first winners at the Portman meet at Badbury Rings.

O’Connor, 21 from Dundalk in Ireland, recorded his first career success when partnering Mike Vanstone’s Gentle Duke to victory in the Restricted race.

Having been unsuccessful in several rides in his homeland he decided to try his luck in England and after a couple of spells with Dennis Coakley and Charlie Mann he responded to an advert put out on Facebook by Linda Blackford and her partner Mike Vanstone.

Vanstone explained that O’Connor, joined them last November and has been working very hard and is now a valued member of their team.

O’Connor, only had to wait for the next race, the Open Maiden, to record his second career victory when he partnered Lawsons Thorns for owners Nigel Mackenzie and Richard Dening.

Setting off in front he stayed on well to beat If It Be Your Will ridden by Darren Andrews by six lengths.

The Intermediate race was won in good style by Boygojumping ridden by his enthusiastic owner Martin Peaty.

The Open Maiden over two miles and five furlongs turned into a good battle between Spooner Street, ridden by Martin McIntyre and Tucks Bergin with Lorcan Williams on board.

The latter had made much of the running but Spooner Street stayed on well and had a length and a half at the line.

Posh Totty was not hard pressed to keep up her remarkable record at Badbury Rings when recording her seventh course victory in the Novice Riders race under Christopher Barber.

Williams gave Tom Barton a very positive ride to win the Mixed Open race.

Setting off in front he had only Uber Alles for company in the final stages of the race and with his rival tiring after the last fence he had six lengths in hand at the line.

The meeting concluded with a popular first winner for Henderson riding his parents Guy and Sophie Henderson’s Ballybough Gorta to win the Confined race.