Downpatrick Racecourse: a double win for trainer Gavin Cromwell
The horse racing at Downpatrick on Friday evening (22 5 26) brought a good spread of results, with two winning favourites across the seven races as well as two winners at double-figure odds. The main story of the evening, though, was County Meath-based trainer Gavin Cromwell bringing home a double with local Downpatrick jockey Declan Lavery winning on Everest the Brave.
Read on for a full report of the Downpatrick card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all horse racing odds.Â
The first race was a maiden hurdle over two miles and three furlongs (5.20). The favourite on this occasion was Mr Master Mac, trained by Mark Fahey, who ran in touch with the leading Brohatna before taking a narrow lead approaching the last, staying on to win by over two lengths. Le Questionnaire was second, followed by Cailin Deas.
Race two was a two mile and three-furlong handicap hurdle (5.52). On this occasion, the favourite – 7/2 shot Sea Of Doubt – was soundly beaten, having raced midfield.
Instead, Tony Martin’s Bruant became the winner at odds of 10/1, having made good headway from the third last hurdle and keeping on well towards the finish. 18/1 Aboras Mahler was second by half a length.
Another double-figure odds winner came next in the two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle (6.29); Dermot McLoughlin’s Joya Del Mar at 12/1. The mare was said to have possibly been in season when she was last seen finishing 13th of 15 at this track, but she was suited by the ground conditions this time and won by an impressive 14 lengths. Market equal Bayonetta – also 12/1 – was second with the favourite, Scary Askari, in third.
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A beginners’ chase followed, run over two and a half miles (7.00). In what was an open contest, Saunton Surf was fancied to win, but could do no better than second, beaten by just half a length by top weight Driveonwill, who kept on well to take the win in the final strides under Donagh Meyler at 9/1.
Gavin Cromwell’s first leg of his double came in race five, the three-mile maiden hunters’ chase (7.30).
West Of Idaho was the hot favourite to win, leaving the rest largely unbacked, but it was Cromwell’s Everest The Brave who obliged, going clear by eight lengths on the run-in to win readily with the market leader in second.
The penultimate race was another hunters’ chase, this time over three miles and five furlongs (8.00). Again, the favourite could do no better than second; Cause For Comment was 5/4 market leader under Patrick Mullins but weakened on the run in, allowing 6/1 shot Asphalt Cowboy to steam ahead by 11 lengths. Fortune Lad was third and Dorking Cock a close fourth.
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Last of all was a point-to-point flat race (8.30). Here, Gavin Cromwell brought in his double with 2/1 market leader Theemeraldempress. The four-year-old filly led some of the way and fended off a challenge from Dinner Dance to win by over two lengths. Majestic Horizon came in third and Juarno was in fourth spot.
 brought a good spread of results, with two winning favourites across the seven){kind=link}