Punters packed Downpatrick racecourse for the first race meeting of the year and enjoyed the Randox Ulster Grand National
On Sunday 30th March (2025) the horse racing fraternity gathered from all over Ireland to enjoy the very sunny afternoon at Downpatrick racecourse writes Jim Masson.
The going was good to yielding and the first race warming up the proceedings was the Pro Solar NI €6,000 Maiden Hurdle with 11 runners sponsored by Saul businessman Michael Philips.
Toad Hall with Paul Townend aboard was the 4/7 favourite and held back behind the leaders until into the final turn when Townend gunned the Willie Mullin’s-trained bay into action edging ahead of Quantum Quest ridden by Kilkenny jockey JJ Slevin and the de Bromhead-trained Game On.
Michael Philips had a very special guest with him to the races – a friend and Northern Ireland soccer hero Gerry Armstrong who said he was delighted to attend the Ulster Grand National meeting.
Next up was the Billie and Bert Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles, 5 furlongs and 185 yards for €10,000 in prize money. Newry trainer Liam Lennon saw the hopeful Kalsman doing much of the running up front in the 14 horse field but tailed off 200 yards from the finish as jockey Caragh Monaghan was running out of gas.
Lennon also had another horse running in the race, Are We Dancing, but it finished third last.
It was Seskin Flash ridden by Keith Donoghue who stalked the leaders in the middle of the pack finding space to challenge in fifth position three hurdles out and strengthen position again for the challenge up the home straight running ahead winning by a clear 7 1/2 lengths ahead of Our Zebo.
The third race was an extended handicap hurdle for 4-year olds and upwards. It was sponsored by the Grant Brothers Developments, with a prize package of €11,500, saw A Mere Bagatelle ridden by Paddy Hanlon make all of the running from early on after two hurdles went clear to romp round the course and win easily on 8 1/2 lengths from Fool Me Once with trained by Gavin Cromwell and with Keith Donoghue on the reins.
The Gordon Elliot-trained Chortal ran well holding up towards the rear and made a run in the last 200 yards and was just beaten by Fool Me Once by half a length.
The excitement was building towards the Ulster Grand National which was marked as the fifth race.
Lilian Bland was the winner of the Download the Tote App Mares Handicap Hurdle. Jockey Richie Deegan rode her well giving the field a clean pair of heels from the second hurdle out. However, it was second placed Joueuse Royale who pressed the winner at the last getting beat by 2 1/4 lengths but Lilian Bland held her pace well to keep ahead.
The Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase for 5-year olds and upwards finally came round and the stand and the rail packed with punters ready to shout on their horses and jockeys. With 15 runners the field was not too bunched for this big €30,000 race pot for the winners.
In the final stages it was the Cromwell-trained Final Orders who almost made it running in second position behind Dunboyne with jockey J Smith in charge and from the stable of Irish trainer Ian Patrick Smith ran on to win by half a length.
The Gordon Elliot-trained Jumping Jet came in third with DJ Gilligan a full 13 length behind. Elliot also had Ringdufferin. Sol Des Flas and Wine An Dine running too in the race but the former Ulster National winner has to settle for third sport this time round.
The penultimate race was the Caherty Stables Beginners Steeplechase worth €11,000 in prize money.
Ballysax Hank held back in the pack marking the leaders and at the second last hurdle, Keith Donoghue stepped up the pace moving into the lead and finished strongly without any serious challenge. This was a good day for jockey Donoghue having claimed places in first, second and third spots.
Heroes Rise had followed the leaders too and did manage to get a nose in front but didn’t have the pace to take on the challenging hill of the home straight up the last furlong and held on top be beaten by 1 1/4 lengths. This must have given Gordon Elliot some cheer at the end of teh race day.
The Antrim-based SRB Crawford stable produced the third placed Step Out with jockey JJ Slevin but from the third hurdle out it got stuck in third gear lacking the speed to challenge th eleaders up the final furlong.
The bumper race, the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase, for 5-year olds and over, attracted 8 runners.
It was the 4/1 joint favourite Ashphalt Cowboy who prevailed despite jockey M Sharpe having to contend with a saddle that slipped at the last hurdle but clung on to ride up the stand side to claim first place edging into thrd in the run up then squeezing into second place the nosing ahead at the last few yards to win by half a length to Cause For Comment in an exciting finish to a great days racing at Downpatrick racecourse.
Trainer Gordon Elliot picked up another third place on Last Round with Tipperary jockey Harry Swann. Harry’s father was top champion jockey, Charlie Swan.
