Crossgar trainer Colin Mc Bratney supplied a local success at Downpatrick yesterday when Obispo landed the beginners chase and winning jockey, Adrian Heskin seen to good advantage, writes Joe Kavanagh.
The locally owned and trained horse tracked the leaders in the early stage before going a close second four from home and jumping into the lead at the second last while the early leader Dun Scaith fell at the final fence when beaten in second. Mc Bratney said ” We put a hood on at the Maze and kept that on today as it appeared to bring him back to life. Last year he had me at my wits end but he’s back on track now. We freshened him up for today and he could come back here for the next meeting.”
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Downpatrick racecourse.[/caption]
County Meath trainer, Gordon Elliott added to his tally of success in the opener at Downpatrick when Knight’s Parade with Barry Geraghty aboard supplied his tenth winner from thirty runners at the track. Myblueeyedgirl lead over the last but fell however, the winner had made steady easy improvement from the rear to be a close third jumping the final flight and quickly asserted on the run home. Elliott said ” He was entitled to win that – I’ll look for a novice hurdle. He does not want it soft so we will keep going for present.”
The Meath trainer quickly doubled up in the second race when High Net Worth under an ultra patient ride from claiming jockey, Kevin Sexton easily lead after the final flight to score. The delighted winning trainer said ” Kevin’s a very very good rider and I will be using him a lot over the winter – he gave the horse a class ride.” while pointing out his latest winner provided him with his quickest fifty winners todate – combining success in the UK and Ireland.
Only four lined up for the EBF Chase which produced a dual in the closing between Draycott Place and Definite Ruby – the latter second in five of her last five starts proving an easy winner with Barry Geraghty aboard and giving Gordon Elliott a hat trick on the day. Elliott said ” Thats five winners in two days! This is a lucky spot for me – the mare deserved that and Barry said she did not like the track but was always going to win. I might go to the UK for a novice chase next with her. “
Better Back Bob looked like supplying another locally owned and trained winner in the long distance maiden having made all the running and clear over the last. However, as the principals climbed the hill to the finish, High Counsel which had made steady progress under pressure in the final mile snatched victory by a head on the line. The winner trained by Pay Doyle was partnered by his son, Jack who spent a period in America and advised he had won a Grade 1 race while based there.
Leading point to point trainer, Colin Bowe sent out Lily Of Killarney to claim the handicap chase in memory of Oliver Brady. The winner partnered by Mark Walsh is owned by the Irish Tenors Syndicate and was bred by top tenor, Ronan Tynan. The winner went to front at flag fall and made most of the running until head two from home but after jumping the last in third rallied gamely to gain victory.
Favourite, Rathmuck Native [David Mullins] duly landed the concluding bumper and in the process denied Elliott a four timer with Miss North Light [Nina Carberry] finishing runner-up.
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