Good crowd attends Downpatrick race meeting
The featured Randox Hurdle at Downpatrick racecourse on Sunday 7th August proved an interesting event with two top jockeys adopting very different tactics writes Joe Kavanagh.
The favourite Dollar Value (7/2 to 15/8) again was reluctant to start but the ingenious Danny Mullins soon had his mount travelling but opted to go along wide on the stands rail and was ten lengths clear at one point.
(PHOTOS BY JIM MASSON / DOWN NEWS
The winner Ultred (11/2 to 4/1) with Bryan Cooper in the saddle for trainer Joseph O’Brien having surrendered his early lead was having to work hard three from home but to the winners credit despite only fourth on the downhill run was able to challenge between horses prior to the final flight to lead and scooting clear appearing capable of better.
It was Cooper’s sole ride and his birthday (30) said: “It was a stop-start race. I was just trying to keep him in a rhythm. He didn’t like the undulations on the course. It was a nice performance – he has plenty of class and that win will do him good. He picked up better than I thought when asked. It was his first run in a while and I knew he’d come forward.”
The opening mares maiden hurdle yet again saw Jack Kennedy highlight his undoubted talents aboard the Gordon Elliott -trained Happy D’ex (5s to 100/30). The jockey always handy aboard the winner slipped up the inside before the last to lead and go clear to record an easy victory having slipped up at the track when squeezed for room on her last visit.
Will You Win had attempted to make all but caught and one paced filled third with Bella Bliss proving the principal rival as favourite Trendy Lady (5/2 to 13/8) disappointed fading from two out finishing fourth.
Link to PHOTOS from Downpatrick Race Day on 7th August
Elliott said: “In fairness she has been a bit disappointing and we were thinking of sending her to the sales. I’ll talk to the owners to see what they want to do as she’ll jump a fence in time. She’s won a bumper and won a maiden hurdle and if every horse did that it would be great. Jack ( Kennedy) is riding out of his skin.”
Townhill Penny (9/4 to 3/1) under an exceptional ride from Jack Kennedy completed a double for the rider and trainer, Gordon Elliott. The race was dominated in running by the front running Gibbet Hill which drifted towards the stands close to the line and the locally trained Menindee however the winner kept on resolutely late challenging between the pair to score in a photo finish – a neck and short head separating the trio. Elliott said: “Jack gave her a great ride. She didn’t travel great early and was flat out the whole way. He was strong as an ox and just got her up.”
Claiming jockey Niall Moore showcased his talents when registering back to back wins at the course on the Philip Fenton-trained Montel Glory. Squeezed for room resulting in four horses ahead of him before the last the young rider didn’t panic and produced the winner after the final flight to challenge with a strong run on the uphill climb to go clear and score with a bit in hand. Moore said: “He did it well. He’s learning all the time and is settling better in races. I sat and waited as I knew from last time they would come back to me.”
Lighthouse Rose (16s to 12/1) recorded a third success at the course for Sligo handler, Mark Mc Niff under an excellent front running ride under amateur rider, Oran McGill in the mares handicap. A tightly packed field for most of the race saw favourite Motown Maggie make a very bad mistake two out with jockey Jack Kennedy lucky to remain in the saddle. However, the winner asserted after the last and went clear with the well supported April’s Joy filling second.
McGill from County Antrim, who rode a winner for his father Gary at Sligo on Thursday, said: “She was good today, she got into a nice rhythm early and jumped and travelled. She seems to love it around here well. She loves climbing hills so that makes it a lot easier. That’s three times she’s won here now. Hopefully I can keep things going, if every week was as good as this I’d be very happy.”
Trainer John McConnell saw Rexem (6/4 to 5/6) proving a different class to rivals in the Magners Hurdle. Omagh jockey Torrens adopted similar tactics to when the horse won his bumper at the track setting off to make all and was always in command.
Torrens said: “John said he was well in himself at home and saw this as an opportunity for him so stuck him in,” The step up in trip was no problem and the only fear I had today was if it was going to come too soon. It rode a good race in Galway, for that time of year, and obviously here was a lot weaker but he did it nicely.
“Ben Harvey rode him in his bumpers and he was telling me beforehand that even at home he’ll go around like an old pony but as soon as he goes out on to a racetrack he kind of gets lit up. I suppose that’s what you want.”
Moon Rise Beauty trained by Willie Mullins with son Patrick aboard was another winner to make all and holding the challenge of runner-up Moonovercloon in the closing stages with favourite Nottodaybobo filling third after finding no room behind the principal pair in the last hundred yards.
Mullins Junior said: “The plan wasn’t really to make the running but she jumped and she was enjoying herself in front. She loved the track and the ground. I’d imagine she’ll improve over jumps as well.”
