Racing on Ladies Day at Downpatrick got underway with a local success courtesy of Mountain Kingdom trained by at Crossgar by Colin Mc Bratney writes Joe Kavanagh.
The winner is owned by Newry-based Cathal McGovern who also landed the Galway Plate in 2009 with Ballyholland-trained by the local handler. Former champion jockey Paul Townend delayed his challenge until approaching the final flight for a convincing victory.
![Bertie Bell pictured in winners enclosure with trainer, Brian Hamilton and jockey, Davy Russell with winning connections.xa0 xa0[irishracepix]](http://www.downnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A-BERTIE-BELL-winners-enc-Tr-Brian-Hamilton-Davy-Russell-connections-2.jpg)
McBratney said: “I’m delighted, especially for Cathal who is a long standing owner. I haven’t had him long but John Larkin did a great job with him. He’s been running well but I was just a bit worried about the climb up the hill as I thought the last day he didn’t quite get home. He’ll go back to Perth where he has been second twice or Navan for a novice hurdle next.”
Bertie Bell trained beside the course by Brian Hamilton provided the second local victory on the day when claiming the maiden hurdle. Top jockey, Davy Russell waited until after the last before delivering a decisive challenge.
A delighted Brian Hamilton said: ” It wasn’t a vintage race but he did it well. It was great to get Davy – I rode against him in points before he turned professional. He loves that ground but we’ll see what the handicapper does before deciding what’s next.”
Tornado Watch proved the very easy winner of the handicap hurdle when landing a gamble [morning 25/1 to 13/8 favourite]. The winner was trained by Jonathon Fogarty was partnered by Mikey Fogarty who said: “He had done a nice couple of pieces of work – I was hoping to be placed and rode him that way. We had a 2-year old winner last week”
A nose decided the Downe Travel Hurdle with Coolfighter denying Our Brian and only a short head to the third, Rendezvous Peak in a driving finish. Winning trainer, Nat Dooly commented: “I didn’t think he had got up – that four he’s won. I might try further on the flat and he’s in again at Kilbeggan on Friday night.”
Odit reaped rewarded for a switch to fences for mother and son duo, Mags and Danny Mullins winning the beginners chase on his debut. The winner travelled strongly from the last to the line beating Wes Hardin. Mags Mullins said: “I’m delighted with that – he did it well from the last. He’s a bit high over hurdles – We’ll see how he is before deciding what’s next.”
Arthur Moore who recorded success at the previous fixture was back in the winners enclosure when Mitebeall Forluck was the easy winner of the handicap chase with Donagh Meyler in the saddle. The winning jockey said: “ Once he jumped the last two I knew he had enough. I didn’t want to hit the front too soon.
“Arthur was confident enough. He didn’t get his own way the last day and was a bit keen so we tried something different,” Fourknocks claimed the bumper for trainer John McConnell with Get It Back supported from 33/1 to 5/2 only managing third for the Fogarty team.
