Downpatrick Racecourse: Doubles for Sexton and Martin
The racing was competitive as always at Downpatrick on Monday, and we had two winning favourites out of the seven races. The main stories on the day were doubles for Tony Martin and Kevin Sexton.
Read on for a report of the Downpatrick card, brought to you by BetVictor Online Casino.Â
Our first race was a maiden hurdle (14.12), which had a hot favourite in the shape of Tony Martin’s Eben Zaabeel. Although the gelding didn’t always jump with fluency, he took the lead comfortably within the final half furlong to win at 10/11. Euro Angel was second at 15/8, while the third horse home was slightly surprising; 66/1 outsider Fairy Meadow.
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Next was a two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle (14.47). Here, He Who Dares was our 11/8 favourite but could do no better than fifth. Instead, 14/1 Ripsnorter was allowed to make all under Danny Mullins and keep on to win by an impressive seven lengths, despite carrying topweight. Granlahan was second at 7/2, followed by 25/1 John Dixen, who will have made some each-way punters happy.Â
Race three was a two and three quarter mile maiden hurdle (15.22). Coded Welder jumped off as the market leader at Evens, and ran a good race to finish third, beaten just under four lengths. Majestic Horizon was our winner, though, having raced prominently before running on nicely under Darragh O’Keeffe to win by just under a length, fending off a challenge by Fortis Et Liber.
Next we had a handicap hurdle run over the same trip (15.55). Our second favourite of the meeting won here; Bruant at 3/1 under Kevin Sexton for Tony Martin, the second leg of the trainer’s double and first of the rider’s. Bruant had been held up in the rear but made steady progress into the lead, keeping on nicely to win by over a length to runner-up Kashchei at 12/1.
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The fifth race was a two and a half mile beginners’ chase (16.29). Here we had joint markrt leaders; Jabbar and Robbies Rock, both 5/2. It was Killeemore Lad, though, who took the lead after the fifth fence and fended off Jabbar, running on to win for Andrew Slattery in the hands of Philip Donovan.
Second to last was a handicap chase over the same trip (17.04). The Danny Mullins-ridden The Cobblers Wife was fancied to win at 100/30, but an impressive performance from topweight Driveonwill under Donagh Meyler saw the six-year-old make progress to the front on the run-in, winning by over two lengths with Kalsman back in second.Â
Finally, racing concluded with a handicap chase run over two miles and a quarter (17.39). This was just a small field of six runners, of which one fell; War Correspondent. Piccolo Player was the market leader at 11/4 but managed no better than fourth place. Beggars Rock was the winner after a smart performance under Kevin Sexton, despite having faced challenges from Presenting Lad, who was second, and Stuntman Steve, who was third.Â
Downpatrick results – Monday:
14.12 – Eben Zaabeel (10/11F)
14.47 – Rispsnorter (14/1)
15.22 – Majestic Horizon (5/2)
15.55 – Bruant (3/1F)
16.29 – Killeemore Lad (7/2)
17.04 – Driveonwill (9/1)
17.39Â – Beggars Rock (4/1).
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