Father and son bank treble

Father and son bank treble

30 August 2023

MONDAY’S Bank Holiday Ladies’ Day meeting at Downpatrick racecourse proved to be a notable one for Co Limerick-based trainer Charles Byrnes.

Byrnes and his jockey son, Philip, combined to win three of the seven races, Philip’s first win at the local track and his first ever treble.

It was also a good day for Jordan Gainford who recorded a double, bringing his total 

to four following his recent return to the saddle following a long period out of action due to injury.

The first race of the day was the AJC Group Maiden Hurdle and Byrnes made all the running on the 2/1 favourite Dubeyeracingcraic to win from Kalansi Flash, ridden by Tyrone jockey Simon Torrens, with Donal Boyle’s Fathom Two, third.

These three well clear of the remaining seven runners.

Father and son then followed up in the third race of the day, the Ulster Carpets Maiden Hurdle, with the top weight and 8/15 favourite Reverend Hubert winning in very smooth style over the long time leader Ringdufferin, owned by Alan Dunlop of Killinchy.

Back in third came Marv Michael, Rachael Blackmore’s only ride of the day.

The Byrnes’ hat-trick came in the Dennison Commercials Opportunity Beginners Chase with all eight runners going to post.

It saw the smoothest winner of the day with Grozni, in the colours of the trainer’s son, Cathal, cruising home ahead of Typical Thomas, ridden by Peter Smithers and Weddell Sea, SP 7/2 33/1 12/1.

The Randox Handicap Hurdle provided a nice local success with Paidi’s Passion, trained at Derrylin by David Christie with Jordan Gainford in the saddle, winning from course winner Gladiatorial in the well-known colours of Spa owner William Brown and ridden by Oran McGill.

Back in third was another local runner in Moneynabane, this one owned and trained at Dromara by Neil McCluskey who has been sending a lot of his charges across the water in recent weeks, SP 11/2 15/2 20/1.

Gainford then went on to record his double in the final race of the day, a handicap chase, when Irish Blaze got the course’s leading trainer, Gordon Elliott, on the scoreboard when winning from Berliet Express and Attitash, which was well ridden by Caragh Monaghan, SP 13/2 6/1 9/1.

The result could well have been different had the leader, Top Line Tommy, not crashed out at the last fence.

Coleraine jockey Jody McGarvey made every post a winning one in the Dennison JCB 

Handicap Chase on Padraic’s Choice.

In the long established colours of Pat Meany, and trained in Co Carlow by Shark Hanlon, the winner was chased home by Nabraska, owned by Linda Wilson from Ballygowan and trained by her husband, my good friend Sammy.

Hopefully this nice grey will pick up a win in the coming weeks. Third was Brehun Star, SP 16/1 14/1 2/1.

The Philip McBurney Racing Handicap Hurdle saw Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan pick up a nice spare ride on Anyway, trained in Co Waterford by Ken Budds.

Interestingly, this winner was 28/1 in the morning.

Good to see former clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan back in action but sadly this came about as current clerk of the course Tracey O’Meara was involved in a car crash outside Castlewellan on her way to the meeting. Thankfully she is safe and well back home in Waterford.

The best turned-out prizes were courtesy of Adele Rea.

Acting stewards were Robert Steele, Colin Hall Thompson and Frankie Fitzsimons.

Don’t forget the Musgrave Park evening meeting at Down Royal this Friday.

Armagh trainer Keith Watson’s open morning is on September 9. Co Tyrone trainer Andy Oliver has his open morning on September 3.

The next Downpatrick meeting takes place on September 15. There are reduced admission rates when booked online.