Hamilton Bags Winner At Downpatrick

Local trainer Brian Hamilton who trains beside Downpatrick racecourse recorded success at his home venue last weekend when Bertie Bell with stable jockey Declan Lavery in the saddle prevailed in a photo finish to the concluding bumper beating Luke Mc Guinness on The Storyteller writes Jim Kavanagh.

The market principals had drawn clear in the closing stages and fought out a duel to the line. Hamilton said of his horse which had finished runner-up in three bumpers: “He’s been unlucky – he has run against a couple of those horses from top trainers – Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien. They both went on and won dual bumpers. He’ll go over hurdles now. He’ll run away through the summer.”  The winner is owned and bred by Alistair Thompson from Dromore.
Mother and son – Mags and Danny Mullins – teamed up to claim the opener with Tsundoku – owned by trainer, Edward Lynan’s wife, Aileen. The runner-up Twilight Shadow appeared to have secured victory when going clear after the final flight but the winner stayed on best up the hill to prevail while Carnduff which shot into the lead at the start kept on to finish third.

Mullins said: ” She jumped well – a bit of ease is what she needs – the ground at Tramore was horrendous. She might mix hurdles and the flat – I’ll discuss future plans with the owner.”
The mares handicap hurdle had a trio in contention after the last however it was Sligo trainer, Mark Mc Niff who further enhanced his strike rate at the track when Mystic Princess scored. The Sligo handler said ” She ran well here a couple of times and showed a liking for Downpatrick – Derek [Fox] got the run of the race and she’s not ground dependant. I might aim at our local track next later this month.”

Favourite backers would have been happy when Theo hit the front and appeared set to score in the long distance hurdle but Tellthemnuttin was steadily making ground under jockey, Dylan Robinson – a former talented apprentice on the flat. The victory justified the trip from Limerick for trainer Willie Codd who said: “I don’t know where the early morning money [40/1 to 14/1] came from I don’t bet. I’m just delighted for the syndicate who leased her from a pal of mine. She’s been running on terrible winter ground – that’s the first time she’s got decent going –the course is in lovely condition. The young lad gave her a peach of a ride – I didn’t know him but his agent said he was good – he was right!”

Rise Of An Empire in the Ryanair colours of Michael O’Leary proved the runaway winner of the extended distance hurdle with Bryan Cooper in the saddle. The Navan trainer said: ” I think the penny is only dropping with him now – he appreciated that better ground. He ran very poorly here last time – I might aim at a novice hurdle at Kilbeggan next time now he’s started to pick up.”

Redclue partnered by Robbie Power was the easiest winner of the night in the handicap chase giving the owners – a Donegal based syndicate a fifth success. Trained in County Meath by Gillian Callaghan the favourite was racing of a much lower mark than his hurdles rating. Callaghan said ” He lacked a bit of confidence over fences last season but he did that nicely – He may come back here for the next meeting.”

Top trainer, Jim Dreaper was another to add to his tally at Northern tracks this season when Shake It Up with All Ireland Champion rider elect, Jamie Codd in the saddle took the hunterchase. St Killenagh had attempted to make all the running and alongside runner-up, Kilna Shane when making a very bad blunder at the penultimate fence bringing the local horse to a standstill but the Dreaper horse produced late was able to take advantage and go clear after the final fence.

(Editorial courtesy Downpatrick Racecourse).