THE scene was set for another successful Ladies’ Day August Bank Holiday meeting at Downpatrick Racecourse as the sun shone for most of the afternoon with an occasional threat of rain which never really materialised. With a great number of punters from far and wide attending the race meeting and an array of spectacular hats and dresses adding glamour to the event, there was definitely a bouyant mood as the first horses entered the ring writes Gareth Sharvin.
It had seemed earlier in the day that the Carberrys, Paul and Nina, would dominate the meeting. Paul set the tone in the first race when he won on Esporao. Paul Carberry was in tremendous form on the 6-4 favourite and was always looking like the winner before opening up at the end to push forward ahead of Clouded Thoughts with third place going to Sun Fisher.
However, despite Paul’s success this was the only winner for the Carberrys due to Nina’s horse being upstaged in the Alison Campbell Model Agency Ladies Flat Race by Well Mett trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.
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Earlier in the morning, Andrew McNamara said that his best ride on the day was on Claragh Native and he did not disappoint. The horse trained by Arthur Moore, won the Diamond Ring Handicap Hurdle and was Claragh Native’s first win. Downpatrick has proved to be a lucky track for the horse and the trainer expects a return in the near future.
In the fourth race of the day The Finola Guinnane, Miss Northern Ireland Mares Maiden Hurdle, the big outside Cool Article 16-1 produced a stunning finish to beat second favourite King’s and Queen’s. The horse was ridden by Sean McDermott who attended for this only ride at the course. It was well worth the travel for the up and coming jockey.
Hollyville, in fifth race, Â won convincingly and was ridden by HD Dunne who romped to victory in the Fran Murrin Memorial maiden hurdle at Downpatrick. Hollyville was no match in his previous run in second place to Gormanstown Cuckoo at Bellewstown, but produced a good steady run for victory.
Draperstown trainer Noel Kelly had his first Downpatrick winner when Benellie won the Murphy Jewellers Handicap Hurdle. Benellie only got up to the finishing line nudging ahead in front of Baby’s Hot ridden by Bryan Cooper and trained by D T Hughes.
Downpatrick jeweller Willie Murphy also sponsored the big draw with a £1000 diamond ring and as a crowd gathered, his grand-daughter picked out the winning ticket. A delighted and overwhelmed Dominique Curran, whose family is from Ardglass, won the ring which was presented by Wille Murphy and his daughter Sally and grand-children.
The Best Dressed competition proved to be a hotly contested event with Gemma Murray winning the Best Dressed Lady prize of a weekend for two in a luxury hotel in Dublin. The other two prizes went to Downpatrick winners. Donna McLaughlin won the Best Hat  prize, and the Best Dressed Man prize was won by myself… Gareth Sharvin. A total surprise!
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