Trainer Gavin Cromwell lands the Ulster National in Downpatrick with Born Braver in a gruelling test of stamina
A competitive seven-race card at Downpatrick on Sunday which was headlined by the Ulster National with a mix of short-priced scorers and double-figure upsets across the afternoon.
Read on for a full report of the Downaptrick card courtesy of BOYLE Sports, who provide the latest Irish Grand National odds.
The opening contest of the afternoon (2.07) saw powerhouse trainer Willie Mullins get off the mark for the day with even money favourite Robertjames, who made all under Paul Townend, asserting after two out and stretching right away to score by 16 lengths from 100/30 chance Gunnery Sergeant in second.Â
Race two of the afternoon (2.42) was a 14-runner handicap hurdle and this was won by Cozone for the Matthew Smith yard, pulling clear by 7½ lengths in a strongly-run contest. The 5/2 favourite Coppola was beaten into second, while 11/1 chance Toor Moon was back in third.
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Lips Freedom (7/2) struck for trainer Andrew Kinirons in race three on the card (3.17), travelling well before asserting after the last to beat the 7/4 favourite Dairy Force by two and three quarter lengths in the two mile and two furlong handicap hurdle.
Better Times landed a double figure price for the Michael Kenneally team in race four on the Downpatrick card (3.52), a two and a quarter length winner of the handicap hurdle from 10/1 shot Miss Lia in second, while Gangster Granny ran a huge race at 50/1 in third.
Up next was the feature race of the day, the Ulster National, over the marathon three miles and four and a half furlong distance (4.27). Born Braver (15/2) owned by Mrs Judy Duffy was delivered late by jockey Keith Donoghue to lead on the run-in and win going away by five lengths to score for trainer Gavin Cromwell.
Born Braver has run prior the the Ulster National in 11 races with 2 wins and 3 places earning €23,928, and will now be €29,450 the better after the win in Downpatrick more than doubling the earnings so far.
The 15/8 favourite Uncle Pat travelled well but couldn’t keep up the pace in the final stages for the Mullins and Townend duo.
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A beginners chase followed at 5pm and this one went the way of Littlefoot at odds of 8/1, a cosy four and a quarter length scorer from 100/30 joint favourite Dee’s Lady, while the finale went the way of a favourite with Cause For Concern, who landed the odds at 15/8 for trainer Stephen Carey in the last race.
Downpatrick results – Sunday
2.07 – Robertjames (Evens F)
2.42 – Cozone (7/2)
3.17 – Lips Freedom (7/2)
3.52 – Better Times (11/1)
4.27 – Born Braver (15/2)
5.00 – Littlefoot (8/1)
5.30 – Cause For Concern (15/8 F).
