A day to remember for McGivern at local races

A day to remember for McGivern at local races

15 June 2022

SUNDAY’S meeting at Downpatrick proved to be notable for jockey Corey McGivern.

Not only did he ride his first ever winner in Ireland, he went on to record his first ever double.

McGivern, who rode for winners in England for trainer Lucy Wadham, is based for the summer with Gordon Elliott and his first winner of the day came in the Mare’s Handicap Hurdle.

He put in a power-packed finish on the top weight Hurricane George to get the better of Red Ball Of Fire, ridden by Ian Power, and Frazel Express, ridden by rising star Kieran Callaghan. 

He followed up on Elliott’s Lieutenant Highway in the Rated Novice Hurdle, winning from Minella Youngy, ridden by Kieran Buckley, also back home from riding in England. The Abbey, also trained by Elliott, took third. SP: 10/3, 11/4 OF.

Elliott’s first winner of the day came in the opening early Father’s Day Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. 

The horses were spread out in single file like ducks with Glendars Mahler and Aidan Kelly setting the pace, followed by the eventual winner, Roaring Potter, ridden by Shane Fitzgerald. 

At the penultimate flight the leader took an awful fall, resulting in Kelly being rolled on by his mount and having to be removed to he Royal Victoria Hospital with neck injuries. 

This left She’s a Contentee and Kieran Buckley to finish second ahed of Born Famous, a 125/1 outsider, Limerick jockey Conor McNamara followed up his Saturday winner in the AJC Group Maiden Hurdle when he rode Downtown Queen to victory for the Waterford trainer, Henry De Bromhead. Second was Rodney Bay with Bella Bliss in third.

The Tote Jackpot Opportunity Handicap Hurdle saw Dollar Value, the top weight ridden by Mark McDonagh, show his liking for the course when winning for the third time.

Always in the clear, the combination had 25 lengths to spare at the judge over Britzka and the Noel Kelly trained Loughclaw.

The winner is trained in Co Meath by Tom McCourt who has a good strike race at the track. SP: 6/4 fav 7/2.

Some years ago Dromara trainer Neil McCluskey saddled his first ever winner under rules at Downpatrick, but he then gave up his licence.

A few years back he renewed his licence and since then he has had lots of placed runners and also a point-to-point winner.

He now trains his own horses and his charge, I Don’t Get It, has ran numerous times, in fact 16 times recently, usually leading, but not being able to finish.

The time I Don’t Get It did make all the running under Gerald Brouder to come from 51/2 lengths clear of Thefaithful Indian, ridden by Tyrone jockey Simon Torrens, and Darkest Hour. SP: 4/1 11/4 fav 40/1.

McCluskey was not present, but Aidan Casement, who works in the stable, informed me he had decided to stay at home, the horse being lead up by Sam Dickson, a stalest of the Colin McCratney stable.

Final race of the two days was the Pro/AM Bumper Race ten going to post. 

Lockdown Daisy unseated her rider, Alana McGuinness, just after the start and cause bother for Patrick Mullins on the eventual winner Walk in The Brise, trained in Co Carlow by Willie Mullins, a great track supporter.

Country Queen and Harry Swan took second ahead of Saratoga Lass, ridden by her very keen owner/rider John Reddington, who can only ride in bumpers at present. SP: 4/9 9/2 4/1.

This Friday evening it’s the All National Hunt meeting at Down Royal then on Saturday it’s the Ulster Derby and Ulster Oaks, clashing with the final day of Royal Ascot.

• At the Leopardstown meeting last Thursday, the Members Apprentice Handicap was won by Plunket in the colours of well known Downpatrick man Mark MacNabb.

Trained in Co Longford by the in-form Paul Flynn, the 10/3 favourite was a first winner for Danny Gilligan, the 16 year-old brother of jockeys Liam and Jack.

Danny rode around 90 winners in pony races and is the son of Cheltenham winner/trainer Paul Gilligan.