Downpatrick racing sees double wins for Dempsey and McConnell stables
The English Cesarewitch is the target of Favourite Moon (6/4 to 11/4), winner of the opening maiden hurdle with Luke Dempsey aboard writes Joe Kavanagh.
The William Durkan-trained horse, a highly rated flat performer formerly trained by William Haggas, was content to sit in sixth until travelling very easily downhill before the last and go clear on landing for a convincing victory.
The well-supported favourite Finnthemagican (5/2 to evens) disappointed with a one paced effort to claim third.
Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “We are very happy with him. He ran a bit with the choke out in Bellewstown and ran a bit in snatches today.
“It is all systems go for the English Cesarewitch ( Newmarket 8th October). Softer conditions and a more galloping track will suit him even better.”
Dempsey doubled up when recording a wide margin victory on the Thomas Coyle-trained Krujers Girl (9/2 to 14/1) in the Caughoo Chase and collecting the very impressive trophy.
Patiently ridden just behind the leaders, the winner improved from four out and a big bold leap at the final fence sealed victory.
Dempsey said: “I was speaking to Conor (Orr) yesterday, he told me all about them. He is suspended today. It is grand to pick up the rides on them.
“I heard the horses around me at the second last and I kind of wanted to keep the revs up. She has done it well and winged the last.”
Ballinlough Gale (finished third) attempted to make all in the handicap hurdle only be to overhauled in the closing stages by the winner Hereditary Rule trained by John McConnell and given an excellent ride by claiming jockey Thomas Reilly.
The winner scoring for the fourth time this year sat behind the leading group until improving at the penultimate flight and jumping into second at the final hurdle between horses and gamely hitting the front in the final hundred yards while the runner up Diamondinthemud stayed on dourly late.
Mc Connell said: “He is a super horse and obviously he is a lot lower rated over hurdles and he’s is probably not as good as he’s is such a good jumper of fences.
“It was a competitive little race and Tommy (Reilly) did what he was told and held on to him for as long as possible. The plan is to go to Cheltenham in October for a novice chase.
“If we don’t go in October, we might go in November. He could be a horse for the Topham Chase (Aintree) with his jumping and his rating. It is just something we are thinking about and the lads in the syndicate would love it.”
McConnell left to attend his runners at Dundalk last might so missed Champagnesocialist (4s to 9/4) turning the finale into a one horse race when making every yard under rider Ben Harvey.
He scored by nineteen lengths with the locally-trained Workforadime running on to take second in the bumper with favourite Doyen Flyer disappointing having been hard ridden from halfway.
Top jockey Keith Donoghue having ridden a treble at Sligo on Sunday continued his run of form when landing the M B McGrady and Co Accountants Handicap Hurdle on Trishknowsbest after a battle with Darkest Hour in the closing stages.
Trained by Patrick Griffin for the winning jockey’s mother and father, the winner with a first time tongue tie readily improved from four out and was cleverly switched onto the inside rail going to the last and kept on resolutely to score and open her account.
Donoghue said: “It means a bit more alright and my mum is here today. She had showed in maiden hurdles that she could win a race. She was always running her race and we knew someday it would come right for her.
“She settled well and I was able to get into it without using her up. I took the gap on the inside going to the last and I probably ended up committing too soon but I kind of had to take it.”
The Rated Hurdle with seven of the runners having won their latest start was always going to be a hot contest however it was the Martin Brassil-trained Desertmore House partnered by Ricky Doyle that prevailed.
The winner carried the colours of Numbersixvalverde winner of the Aintree Grand National in 2006 and the Irish equivalent the previous year.
The victor was always close up but ridden wide by his jockey and despite a slight mistake two out and the runner up leading over the last kept on best to prevail.
Winning owner Bernard Carroll said: “I only bought him very recently. He’s a decent horse and will be a good chaser. He was privately owned and an amateur rider just wanted to sell on.
“Ricky (Doyle) gave him a great ride. He is gutsy. I don’t know where he might lead us, he might come back here for the Ulster Grand National in three or four years’ time.”
Racegoers were delighted to see Ingenious Stroke (7/4 to 10/30) triumph in the Beginners Chase for trainer Henry De Bromhead following the recent tragic loss of his thirteen year old son Jack in a pony racing accident.
The winner partnered by Rachael Blackmore made all with the only blip when the horse put in an extra stride at the final fence allowing the runner up Final Orders to get the inside rail.
Rachel Blackmore said : “He did it real well – he ran around a bit at the end. It is great to get but obviously winners don’t feel the same now.
“He jumped well and was brave. He won a point-to-point so he had that experience coming here today. He’s a very forward-going type, so hopefully he will improve now for fences. We are all thinking of Jack.”
, winner of the opening maiden hurdle with Luke Dempsey aboard){kind=link}