Downpatrick races draws huge crowd for children’s fun day meeting
The excellent weather drew a huge turnout at Downpatrick’s family day fixture.
Loughbrickland handler Neill McKnight supplied a local victory with his only horse in training when Shinnhill partnered by Alex Harvey proved the runaway winner of the geldings maiden hurdle in the closing stages writes Joe Kavanagh
The winner was content to track the leading group until making steady progress from four out and quickened on the downhill run to lead at the last and score in impressive fashion.
Harvey said: “He did it well. I rode him in a couple of pieces of work and Neill does a great job with him. I really fancied him today and I got a lovely run as they went a real good lick.”
The Gordon Elliott-trained Hey Whatever with Ballyclare jockey San Ewing aboard tracked the leader prior to leading at the penultimate flight and was game in the closing stages to repel the challenge of the locally trained She Can Do It representing Newry trainer Liam Lennon in a photo finish to land the opener.
Ewing said: “She was unlucky last time at Cork. I wasn’t concerned as she didn’t really get a heavy fall, she just winged the last the last day and just landed a bit steep but she’s a good jumper.
“When I gave her a kick two out she easily went forward. “ Hot favourite Coole Cherry was never a factor staying on late to finish fifth.
The Cian Collins-trained Steps In The Sand claimed the handicap hurdle with a multitude of horses holding claims at the final flight. Jockey Owen Walsh elected to challenge late on the stands side to prevail.
Walsh said: “She’s not very big and needed every yard of the race. I fancied her coming her as Cian has done a good job with her.”
Collins added; “ She not big but has a big heart and the uphill finish was ideal for her. I think she’ll be even better and the real good gallop suited. She’ll get a rest now after that.”
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The Eoin Mc Carthy-trained Ollie La Ba Ba gave an ultra game effort to win the Tony Oakes MBE Memorial Hurdle with Gary Noonan aboard.
The winner trained in Limerick after a battle with Nicholas Fortune lead from halfway and readily held the late challenge of favourite River Tara in the straight.
Noonan said: “He was unlucky last time here when hampered and I thought he would have won. He’s been unlucky a few time but he’s really a three mile chaser.”
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The featured Charlie and Kathleen Caldwell Memorial saw a depleted field of just four runners due to the drying ground and only three runners left when the leader Notkeepingyagoing over jumped and fell at halfway leaving favourite Disco Dancer in front.
The winner Rauzan, trained by Eoin Doyle and Philip Enright aboard ran last of the trio until quickening on the downhill run to head the leader and quickly put the race to bed scoring very easily by twelve lengths.
Enright said: “He handled the track well and jumped great. He’s been well placed by Eoin to win three in a row.”
Doyle added: “ It’s great to win three in a row and today’s race was perfect for him as a four year old. He might go to Tramore and could run on the flat as he’s well handicapped on the level.”
Doyle quickly recorded a double when Scottish Dancer and Philip Enright again in the saddle out battled Meadow Soprano at the finish in the long distance handicap with Mrs Biddle which had made most of the running staying on again to snatch second.
Enright said: “The plan was to ensure he got a bit of light and keep it simple. The blinkers helped and he battled the whole way to the line and was tough.”
Doyle added: “It’s great to get a double. I thought he would run well and needed the trip. We’ve been working on the hill at Joseph’s (O’Brien).”
Cap Bernat looked like providing another local success, however, the Gerry Keane trained Blacksmiths Forge partnered by Finny Maguire having been last at the top of the hill stayed on resolutely to score on his debut for connections in the concluding bumper.
