Huge Crowds Attended The Sunday Race In Downpatrick
Another excellent crowd supported the second day of Downpatrick Father’s day meeting with almost 8,000 attendees over the two days through the turnstiles writes Joe Kavanagh.
Course Manager Richard Lyttle said he was thrilled by the crowd and number of double decker buses arriving for the day.
County Tipperary trainer Philip Fenton landed the opener with Mister Twist having been backed into 5/4 favourite from 100/30 and was always close up in second throughout the contest while staying on in resolute fashion to readily repel the challenge of the runner up under rider Niall Moore.
Moore said: “ He’s been unlucky a couple of times. He improved and will keep progressing.”
LINK TO PHOTOS FROM THE TWO DAY RACE MEETING IN DOWNPATRICK
Fenton added: “The three mile hurdle at the Galway Festival could be a target. A handicap is his next port of call. Three miles is his job. He is in again on Wednesday (at Wexford), but we shall see. I’d say the cut in the ground would be a help.”
The second race produced a real shock result with the winner All In Montmarte 20/1 and runner up Tullybawn 50/1.
The winner trained by Henry De Bromhead with Conor Brassil aboard was making his track debut following running in a point while favourite Foxfire Glow again disappointed.
Robbie Power, representing Henry de Bromhead, said: “He’s a nice horse and he jumps really well. They went very quick and Conor was in a lovely position and got into a lovely rhythm.
“He was green when he hit the front, hopefully there is improvement to come.That is as short a trip as he would want, and he probably wants a bit further.”
De Bromhead quickly doubled up in the following race when Cottie partnered by Mikey O’Connor made all readily holding the challenge of Royal Eagle despite in receipt of 10lbs from the winner.
Robbie Power, representing the winning trainer said: “It did look competitive for the grade. Mikey (O’Connor) used his initiative to lead and he is effective off the front… she a genuine mare and was good as there was no pace.”
Trainer Ray Hackett supplied the winner of the Tote Hurdle with Rock On Seamie travelling ultra well downhill under Daniel King prior to leading at the last and proving an easy winner.
Willyouwalkwithme runner up the previous day filled fourth while another local horse I Don’t Get It rallied to fill third after leading early.
Hackett said:” I was afraid of the hill for him. He got caught here I think two years ago up the hill, so I just closed my eyes!”
The Noel Meade-trained Charlie Luciano quickly went to the front under Blackwater-based jockey Liam Mc Kenna and made all easily holding runner up and favourite Sequoiaspirit.
McKenna said: “ He enjoyed being in front and was fresh today. He loves jumping.”
Jinxs Girl having lead downhill and over the last threw the race away when hanging to the extreme stands side allowing Dermot Mc Laughlin-trained Goodie Girl with Conor Maxwell aboard to spring a 33/1 shock result.
Mc Laughlin said: “I like her and we’ll stick two miles. She is progressive and Conor said she was tough and finished out the race well for her first run in a handicap.”
Similar to the previous evening the Willie Mullins-trained River Tara with son Patrick steering lead in the dip before going clear in the finale.
Mullins said: “I probably should have won on her in Kilbeggan and that form was franked. The ground is drier here today and Downpatrick do a fabulous job with the ground.
“They gave us all fresh ground today. They deserve huge credit for that. The grass here is fantastic.”
LINK TO PHOTOS FROM THE TWO DAY RACE MEETING IN DOWNPATRICK
