The opener at Downpatrick races on Ladies Day Bank Holiday meeting saw the Gordon Elliott-trained Cats For Cash make all to score easily with Jack Kennedy aboard. The other joint favourite So Enjoy filled third – the pair separated by Patrick Joseph supported from 25s to 8/1 writes Joe Kavanagh.
Elliott said: “All the conditions suited him and the race was right. He has promised more than what he has showed I suppose is really the only thing to say. He’s a gorgeous horse and he has won and that’s great. Anything else will be a bonus.”
Greenandwhitearmy supplied a local success in the Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle at a sun baked Downpatrick racecourse.
The winner, second last month at the venue and trained at Loughbrickland by Neil Mc Knight, got up in the final couple of strides with Ricky Doyle in the saddle. The runner-up Mr Moondance (8s to 7/20) appeared set for success having made all, but Doyle’s determination yielded the reward close to the line. Trainer McKnight said: “He’s a quirky sort of horse but we were hoping he would get in the money. I thought the other horse (Mr Moondance) had got away from him but he battled well up the hill. He’s actually better over two miles five (furlongs). We’ll keep him going and he could come back here for the next meeting.”
Claiming jockey Trevor Ryan was seen to excellent advantage when claiming the Giltspur hurdle on Finding Joy. The last named is trained in Limerick by Michael Horrigan – a very long time supporter of the local track. Cappacon was always handy, however, the winner finished with a late flourish after the final flight and despite drifting left the rider quickly switched his whip to score readily.
Hourigan said: “I haven’t been here for a good few years now. I saw the race and I said ‘gees I’ll have to go to Downpatrick and I’m driving the lorry myself. I felt I had to come and when I saw the entries I really had to come and when I saw the weights I had to go now anyway. I was leading trainer here for monkeys years. I used to love coming here and I was coming here to win 60 quid!.”
Knock On Steel looked another to have victory in his gasp only to be foiled by the late surge of Sean Flanagan on the Noel Meade-trained The Red Menace with the always prominent Wonderoftheworld third in the Beginners Chase. The Navan trainer’s horse making his debut over fences was in the rear for most prior to challenging after the final fence. Meade said: “He lacks a gear. He took to jumping fences very well at home and we sort of hoped that just might give him a little bit extra.”
Three Is Coming made a brave attempt to land the Charlie Caldwell Memorial hurdle sponsored by Vincent Caldwell in memory of his father however Cappuccino Man (6s to 11/40 led at the last to win snugly in the hands of Darragh O’Keefe supplying trainer, Oliver Mc Kieran with compensation after the defeat of Cappacon in the previous race. Premier D’troice stayed on late to fill second place. McKiernan said: “He was a horse that had a lot of troubles all his life. With the best will in the world it was great to win it – it was probably a moderate enough race.”
The handicap chase saw five in contention in the closing stages however in a photo finish the Tom Mc Court trained Muroor (16s to 5/1]) provided jockey Darragh O’Keefe when beating the locally trained I’m An Izz Wizz by a head. McCourt said: “Whatever it is up here just brings out the best in him. He jumped very quick now, he was lightning for a small horse.”
Ya Boy Ya, a dual points winner, landed the Hannon Travel supported bumper on his course debut with the Colin Bowe runner overhauling Stowaway Sarah in the closing stages.
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And see the photos of the ladies and gents all dressed up on Ladies Day.
