Dromara trainer Neil McCluskey gets a first and second at Downpatrick races
Dromara trainer Neill McCluskey supplied the first and second in the Murdoch Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick last Friday (6th October 2023) writes Joe Kavanagh.
Wee Jerry as usual made all the running, however, a quintet held claims prior to the last with Moneynabane and Philip Byrnes aboard tucked on the rail, but on landing switched wide and went well clear of his stable mate.
Favourite Mr Social had every chance and finished third. Jockey Byrnes said: “Neill (McCluskey) was confident. I wasn’t sure how well I was going jumping the last and pulled wide.
“He did it well and I knew Neill trained the horse I headed at the last.”
The Gordon Elliott-trained Yeats Star claimed the opening maiden race with stable jockey Jack Kennedy in the saddle with the minimum of fuss.
The rider was content to be patient running fifth for most of the race but readily asserted before the final flight from Musts Lovea Lovea and went clear with ease in the straight.
The runner up and well supported Talk In The Park stayed on late to snatch second while the third placed Charming Fortune is certain to improve on his debut effort.
Kennedy said : “That’s my 500th winner. He’s a real staying horse. He was a bit leary when in front when I made the running last time.
“We went a good gallop and he went to the line strongly when I asked him. It’s great for Bertie Mannion who also bred him and has had several horses with us.”
Favourite Fathom Two raced tight on the rail for most of the race but got caught in a pocket behind horses before the last and it was Starman and Bukhill on the outer that that fought out the finish with the last named trained by Peter Fahy prevailing providing claiming rider Eamon Fitzgerald with his third success – twice on winner.
Fitzgerald said: “My thanks to Mr McCarthy (owner) for putting me up again. They didn’t go a great pace and he was a bit lonely in front, but when he heard the other horse he quickened again. He’s been brilliant for me. He’s very genuine and has a bit of speed. I’m delighted.”
PHOTOS BY JIM MASSON FROM THE RACES © (Click the link!)
The John Morrison-trained Sea The Sunset supported from 40s to 12/1 claimed the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle in facile fashion.
The winner partnered by Shane Fitzgerald challenged on the outer with Monoxide having attempted to make all while Fassbender challenged on the inside of the trio prior to the last.
Once over the final flight the winner shot clear as Skip Mahler ran on to finish second. In For The Night made too many mistakes and never looked a likely winner.
Fitzgerald said: “ He did it very well. Danny on Monoxide set a very fast gallop but I was always travelling very well and he jumps very well. I don’t know how far I won.”
The McGrady Financial Services Novice Handicap Hurdle was run at a crawl and every runner had a chance on the downhill run.
Punters had noted champion jockey Paul Townend travelled to the track for one mount on Nt Field Minnesota trained by his boss Willie Mullins were rewarded.
The INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, the most valuable race of the day, proved a dramatic affair. Runner up Kansas City Star set a steady pace in front.
Kalinisi Flash fell on the first circuit hampering the winner while the locally trained Rowdy Romeo unseated his rider when a close second three from home and proceeded to hamper the winner on the downhill run to the final hurdle after which the winner showed an excellent turn of foot to sprint clear.
Winning jockey Paul Townend said: “I was lucky not to be brought down early, then had to avoid the loose horse and stayed wide.
“The step up in trip was the main thing today. We got a bit of luck today.”
Gordon Elliott was another trainer to provide the first pair home in the Ciaran Russell Auto Sales Beginners Chase with the well-bred Jenny Flex and Jack Kennedy aboard beating stable companion Zettabyte in comprehensive fashion.
Kennedy said: “She done it well. The switch to fences has produced the improvement and she came out of my hands at the last, and I didn’t want to do anything stupid as I knew I was well clear. She’s brilliant to jump fences.”
The veteran eleven year old Greenway Machine trained by Helen Markham and on bottom weight further eased by rider Cian Cullinan’s claim turned the concluding handicap chase into a procession.
This was despite runner up Reddy’s Island eating up the ground in the straight however the points winner of his twentieth start on the course proper was not to be denied.
PHOTOS BY JIM MASSON FROM THE RACES © (Click the link!)
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