Evening Meeting Goes Well At Downpatrick Races

Punters experience poor weather but excellent racing at Downpatrick in evening meeting

As the first race at Downpatrick was getting under way, the long sunny spell camme dramatically to an end as the rain came on sending most of the punters indoors for the evening. But for the racing the going was ‘good’ to go.

The first race, the Randox Maiden Hurdle, was won by Hills of Glory by one and a half lengths, ridden by Keith O’Donoghue (the Downpatrick races leading jockey with the highest strike rate) and trained by Gavin Cromwell from the Meath stable. The 8-year old bay gelding cleared the last and got in front from the final hurdle and made good in the 150 yards to finish strongly.

Eco Pete had led for much of the race but after the last hurdle seemed to lack the energy to keep pace up the home straight to challenge and fell behind Gordon Elliot-trained Jazz de Cotte ridden by Sam Ewing.

Next came the Frank and Brian Fitzsimons Memorial handicap race for 4-year olds +. The favourite and winner was Goodie Girl with Patrick O’Brien in the saddle, and trained by Dermot McLoughlin.

Goodie Girl moved up the field in this 10-horse race about midway, and continued to progress, and held well in the last three hurdles and took the lead into the last 50 yards to win in front of Arcland (trained by Gavin Cromwell) with Keith O’Donoghue aboard and Rockview Consort, ridden by Dylan Kidd in third place.

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The Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders Handicap Hurdle attracted a 9-horse field. The favourite Sights Unseen was tucked behind the leaders until around half-way in the race and made an error and almost lost pace but recovered well, to finish ahead of Truly Elegant and True Destiny. This was the second winner for trainer Gavin Cromwell ridden by Alex Balfe and having collected a second place in the second race, trainer Cromwell was having a good meeting.

The fourth race with 6 runners, the Kevin Ross Bloodstock Beginners Steeplechase, was won by Coffey’s Forge, again by a Meath-trained horse from the Gordon Elliot stable ridden by Danny Gilligan. As second favourite, the bay ran strongly, and was up front early and disputing the lead, and Gilligan did well finishing up the home straight to make it another win for a Meath trainer.

Second to Coffey’s Forge was Tankardstown Diva with Keith O’Donoghue again coming in with another second place. Darkened came in third ridden by Ben Harvey. This was trainer John O’Connell’s second third place so far at the meeting.

The fifth race was the Dennison JCB Maiden Hunters Steeplechase for the seven 5-year olds+ runners. Grageen was well ridden by jockey P King having held back and kept out of trouble, then progressed well through the field and romped up the final home straight to win in front of Western Wishes with DJ Hanlon on the reins and Yewtree Hill (owned by Brian Hamilton and ridden by S Hamilton) both locally trained by Patrick Turley in Downpatrick.

Squire O’Hara did much of the early leading, but petered out in the later stages. Yewtree Hill had made a stumble after the last jump but recovered well to run up the last 150 yards at a steady pace to secure third place.

The Dennison Commercial Volvo Truck Hunters Steeplechase was won by Asphalt Cowboy. This was the most valuable prize of the day at Downpatrick, at €17,500.

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Jockey M Sharpe steered Asphalt Cowboy, trained by Stephen Carey from Kildare, very cannily holding back in midfield, then progressed to lead third out and made a strong run on the home straight to secure the win. Noel McParland riding the Caroline McCaldin-trained Gorthill, could not catch the winner with an extra burst of energy but went ahead into second. place in front of Eyes Off Annie.

The final race, the bumper, sponsored byt the Caherty Stables racing Syndicate Point-to-Point Flat Race for 4-year olds ended the evening that had seen a steady, and at times heavy drizzle as the eight runners battled for the honours.

The Gordon Elliot-trained Cinammon Roll took the honours with Harry Swan aboard tucked in behind the early leaders and took the initiative in the home straight finishing well staying clear of Coolboy Christie and Moody Girl.

Coded Welder made strong running at the end but ran out of steam in the finishing stages.

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The next race meeting at Downpatrick Races is a weekend double event on:

Bring on the sun!