Two day holiday event attracts lots of race-goers to Downpatrick racecourse
MONDAY RACING.
On Monday as the two-day racing event was starting, the sun was baking the racecourse in Downpatrick and the race-goers were enjoying the glorious sunshine.
Meath trainer Gordon Elliot managed to secure a double win at Downpatrick racecourse against stiff competition but John O’Connell also from Meath just missed securing his double win for the afternoon.
In blazing sunshine, the afternoon started with fun and games for the children’s events and entertainments. The first race was the ITBA mares Maiden Hurdle for 4-year old mares and upwards.
Diamond Tip ridden by Alex Harvey was the winner. Trained by John O’Connell, Harvey moved into mid-field behind the leaders and Sophie Rose made a mistake and he pressed forward again even though Sophie Rose recovered lost ground, but 3 furlongs out Diamond Tip fired up and held well up the home straight to win.
In the next race, Full Confession with Patrick W Mullins aboard, trained by his father Willie Mullins from Carlow, won by a clear 2 lengths in the Randox Maiden Hurdle, ahead of Power of Words in second place ridden by Jack Kennedy and 8 lengths clear from Front Door Famous with Kevin Sexton at the reins.
Next up was the Cosy Group Handicap Hurdle, an extended handicap hurdle for 4-year olds +. Eoin Staples rode Tell Us This well as in the horse’s previous recent run at Listowel, the soft ground didn’t suit. Towards the end Tell Us This squeezed ahead of Demanding Gerry with Keith Sexton aboard to win and Fire Coral was also joined as second favourite at 7/2 placed third.
Check our Down News Facebook for a selection of photos over the 2 day event 1
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In the Plus 2 Print Remembering Tony Oakes MBE Maiden Hurdle, a hurdle for 5-year olds and upwards, Gordon Elliot enjoyed a winner with Jazz De Cotte with the experienced Jack Kennedy in the saddle in this 7-horse race.
Kennedy had chased Jackson Lamb and was running in second place halfway in the race.
Fancied Jackson Lamb finished third and led early with Alex Harvey but faltered a bit and an error at the last slowed efforts up the home straight and gave Jazz De Cotte an advantage to win denying trainer John C McConnell his double for the afternoon with Midnight Moonshine taking second spot.
The Downpatrick Racecourse Family Funday Supporters Handicap was the next race and offered €11,500 pot for the winner. This was an extended handicap race for 4-year olds +. Lakeland Flyer with Paddy Hanlon trained by John Joseph Hanlon crossed the line first.
Wajaaha ridden by Liam McKenna was fancied to win but made a mistake early on but did well to come back fighting and was just beaten by Lakeland Flier at the post. Gorthill trained by Down trainer Caroline McCaldin only managed 6th place with JJ Slevin at the reins and was joint second favourite with Wajaaha at 4/1.
Jockey Sean Flanaghan rid Juniper Hill to a win in the penultimate C Russell Auto Sales Beginners Steeplechase.
Juniper Hill had to date 12 runs and only one win so this race today will delight Wexford trainer Paul Nolan. Juniper Hill followed the leader and got into 2nd spot, and was pressing hard then 150 yards out kept steady on the hill at the home straight staying ahead of evens favourite Betty Dutton to win with Butchers Bill coming in third.
The final race, the AJC Group Handicap Steeplechase, was won by the Gordon Elliot-trained Thehairyfella securing his double win for the day. Jockey Jack Kennedy held back and following an excellent jump at the last finished well running the last 150 yards strongly.
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Check our Down News Facebook for a selection of photos over the 2 day event 1
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TUESDAY RACING
With the strong prospect of rain and even lightning, there was a much smaller attendance of punters at the Tuesday event in Downpatrick and some trainers had decided to pull out their horses from the race meeting.
Portrarlington won the Tuesday opener, the Denvir’s of Downpatrick (QR) handicap hurdle with jockey JK Williamson in the saddle. He held back until the first lap with Annie Agnew leading and finished strongly. Order of the Day was placed second with Gortmore Lady in third place.
Persian Daughter trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Sean Cleary romped home to win the €15,000 maiden hurdle. The mare proved she had the stamina which had been lacking in previous races.
The Novice Hurdle was won by the Gordon Elliot-trained Kamikaz Du Plessis and this was always the horse to beat. Four horses started but Western Ability quickly pulled out and Derryvillle was in contention to the last in this €14,000 race.
The handicap hurdle put another feather in the cap of JC McConnell with jockey Ben Harvey securing a win on Georgina Celina. She had made a mistake early on but came back to run in second place with Tiny Angel coming in third.
The Randox handicap hurdle saw 6 runners in contention but Woodstream Lad trained by PJ Rothwell in Wicklow took the honours with Calum Hogan on the reins. Divilabother came in second place missing out on the €11,500 pot.
The mares’ handicap hurdle was won by Hurricane Honey (15/2) with jockey Kieran Buckley in charge. Adrian Murray was the lucky trainer to win this second last race of the day beating favourite Miss Gatana (11/8).
And the last bumper race was won by Closutton trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick W Mullins giving the Mullins’ stable three wins over the two days in Downpatrick winning a total of €35,000. Not a bad day at the office!
Trainer Gordon Elliot too had a good couple of days with three wins also earning €34,500 and he is now the leading trainer to date with five more race meetings yet to come.
