Downpatrick Races Basks In Sun Once Again
Apart from a a short sprinkle of rain, the weather for most of the meeting at Downpatrick Racecourse was sunny with a spattering of clouds and the sizeable crowd had a great day writes Joe Kavanagh.
Invictus World trained, at Broughshane by Gerald Quinn and partnered by top local amateur rider Noel McParlan suppled a local winner having been supported from 10/1 to 5/1 of the maiden hurdle at Downpatrick.
(Photos by Jim Masson/DownNews).
The favourite Rule The Wind fell at halfway distracting Zettabyte which unseated his rider Danny Gilligan who was taken to hospital for an x ray.
After this the race appeared a duel between the winner and Notkeepinyougoing but the local horse was resolute and made all resisting the late challenge of Cozone despite briefly headed close home.
Quinn said: ”He had a soft palate operation and that has worked well and we put on a tongue tie for the first time.
“He’s done it well and was very game. He jumped well and will jump a fence in time. We have about 36 to come in shortly mostly for point to pointing.”
The winner is owned by the McBurney family, major hauliers in the province and having built a custom training establishment where the Ballymena point-to-point is staged.
Trainer Gordon Elliott supplied the first two home in the opening mares’ hurdle after favourite Fortuna Favente flopped on her debut having cost £100,000.
Comber-based hotelier Arron Metcalfe who bred the favourite gained compensation having bred the first two winners on the card.
Gaye Winnie partnered by Danny Gilligan replacing Jack Kennedy who had a tumble on Saturday night at Kilbeggan landed the valuable contest which included an ITBA Bonus of £5,000 while Signora di Milano chased her stablemate home.
Gilligan said: “We knew he had improved since last time and she didn’t kill herself in front. I thought she would be bang there and she’ll get further.”
Elliott also landed the featured Killultagh Hurdle with An Mhi with Keith Donoghue aboard replacing stable jockey Kennedy.
The very easy winner made all for a comfortable victory. Donoghue said:” He has a high cruising speed… he’s a big horse and will be better over fences. Gordon’s great at placing these horses.”
Elliott completed a hat-trick when Fruit Blossom with Danny Gilligan in the saddle prevailed in the mares’ handicap hurdle after a dour battle with The Grey Monty in the closing stages. Lighthouse Rose attempting to win the race for the third year made most but had no answer when challenged by the principals.
Gilligan said: “ She was on and off the bridle but she battled well up the hill when I needed her.” The favourite Howaya CD And E refused to race at the start.
Legendary trainer Edward O’Grady claimed the AJC Hurdle with Gwan Tadhg despite unraced since January under patient ride from Mark Mc Donagh.
The home bred made ground downhill to lead at the last to score. McDonagh said: “He’s a nice horse but the ground went against him last year. That’s my first ride for Mr O’Grady and he told me the horse would appreciate the better going.”
Claiming jockey Paddy O’Hanlon excelled when winning the long distance handicap on the Philip Rothwell trained Robindevidastar when making all and despite headed near the line rallied on the inside to prevail by a head with an ultra game effort.
Rothwell is enjoying his best ever season.
After his eleventh winner of the new term he said: “He had been disappointing sine winning at Punchestown but Dara (O’Keefe) told me to put head gear on him.
“He got his own way in front and credit to his owners that they kept going with him.”
Odds on favourite Uncle Pat trained by Willie Mullins with son Patrick aboard had to battle to repel the challenge of debutante Stagecoach Mary partnered by local rider Declan Lavery in the concluding bumper – the latter looking capable of a winning a similar contest.
Mullins said: “ It is good ground and he is a horse that will stay further. We will probably go over hurdles with him.”
