Downpatrick Racecourse: Doubles for McConnell, Ewing and Curling
Downpatrick’s Sunday afternoon racing was hotly contested in all seven races, with a few winning favourites and some more unexpected winners, but the most significant results of the day were doubles for trainers John McConnell and Sam Curling, and jockey Sam Ewing.
Read on for a full report of the Downpatrick card, courtesy of BoyleSports, who offer all the latest horse racing odds.
The first race, a two and a quarter mile mares’ maiden hurdle (2.17), brought in the first of Sam Ewing’s successes, courtesy of 5/1 shot Atomic Queen.
The Peter Fahey-trained mare formed part of the leading trio towards home but managed to separate herself from the other two by a total of five lengths, chased home by the favourite Galileo Springs (5/4) and the 15/8 Hillhead Runner. All other finishers did so at double-figure odds or larger.
Race two was a rated hurdle over two and a quarter miles (2.47), and this race brought the most surprising result of the afternoon. There were only four runners, the favourite being Gordon Elliott’s Arch Empire at 8/13, but he ran no race at all by jumping left and lacking fluency approaching the final stages.
He was eventually beaten by over 50 lengths, leaving Sam Ewing to come to the fore once again on 11/1 shot Catena Zapata, who ran on well to win by over five lengths from Redwood Queen (15/2) and Itsalladream (5/2).
The first leg of another winning double came along in race three; a two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle (3.17). Sam Curling’s Wing Back was favourite at 7/4 under Philip Enright. With the field tightly packed, there were a number looking to have a chance in the final two furlongs, but the favourite was able to deliver a better turn of foot and crossed the line over four lengths clear of the runner-up, 9/2 shot Parkgarve, who was followed by the 11/1 Georgina’s Jet.
Race four came next and this was a two and three quarter mile mares’ handicap hurdle (3.52).
With another small field of just four runners, the favourite was Gordon Elliott’s 15/8 Neon Diamond, although the mare was another well beaten favourite for the County Meath-based trainer that afternoon, as she became detached from the rest of the field and finished over 22 lengths behind the winner; the 3/1 Mrs Mc Go.
The John McConnell-trained mare ran on well under Dylan Kidd to finish over five lengths ahead off 5/2 Kilbuny Supersonic and 7/2 Diamond Tipp.
A maiden hurdle followed, run over two and three quarter miles (4.22). Paul Milligan’s Coded Welder was the favourite at 11/8, well ahead of his five opponents in the betting, but despite being prominent in-running, the gelding found no extra at the finish and was beaten by 6/1 shot Dramatic License, who was running on well, followed just a neck behind by 11/4 second favourite Cut The Rope. Just three lengths separated the first three home, while the 7/2 William Butler became detached and crossed the line over 64 lengths behind the favourite.
The penultimate race was a two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle (4.52). This race had a well-populated field of 12, with Georgia Celena and Fire Coral jumping off as joint favourites. The field became well strung out in the final half mile, with the market leaders living up to expectation in front of the rest.
9/2 shot Tiny Angel eventually crept in between the two, snatching second place, while Fire Coral was our eventual winner, bringing home Sam Curling’s double.
Finally, a bumper brought the afternoon’s racing to a close (5.22). There were just five runners, of which one was the clear favourite; John McConnell’s Minella Supreme at 4/5. Crossbar Getaway was the closest market rival at 11/8, but there was little doubt when the tapes went up that the favourite was going to win. The gelding made all under Finn Buckley and was never passed, crossing the line four lengths ahead and completing John McConnell’s double.
Downpatrick results – Sunday:
2.17 – Atomic Queen (5/1)
2.47 – Catena Zapata (11/1)
3.17 – Wing Back (7/4F)
3.52 – Mrs Mc Go (3/1)
4.22 – Dramatic Licence (6/1)
4.52 – Fire Coral (7/2J)
5.22 – Minella Supreme (5.22).
