Davy’s double delight

Davy’s double delight

3 October 2018

THE winning combination of trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell recorded yet another double at Downpatrick on Friday.

The Co Meath guru, who has his large team in great form at the moment, brought his total for the year at the track to 12 with one meeting remaining on October 12, while Russell is on nine.

The duo got off to a flying start when Star Maker got the better of hot favourite Kellyiscool, who had made the long trip form Limerick, in the ITBA Northern Region Supporting Local Racecourses maiden hurdle, back in third was Korolena. 

They then joined forces in the third race of the day, the Molson Coors maiden hurdle, where Thisonesforollie got up in the closing stages under Russell’s strong driving to better Conor Orr on Whatsyourstatus.

In an extremely close finish, the 5/2 favourite got the verdict by a neck with Court Adjourned and Adam Short 10 lengths back in third place.

The meeting produced three long-priced winners. The first of these came in the second race, a handicap hurdle over two miles two furlongs, when Authorative, a 33/1 outsider in the well known black and red spots of Rita Shah, made every post a winning one to beat Eight and Bob with top weight Milomynt third.

For Co Armagh teenager Shane O’Callaghan, who also rides on the flat, it was his first ever winner in what has been a short career. The horse is trained by his boss Anthony McCann, who was also on lead up duties, in Co Monaghan — he has had some good priced winners of late.

The second long-priced winner came in the Irish Stallion Farms beginners chase when 18/1 shot Ard Na Carraig, with Barry Browne in the saddle, won from Andrew Lynch on Moon ball with the 3/1 favourite Native Lass in third. 

This one being one of two runners in the race from the Co Cork yard of Michael Winters. Oliver McKiernan, who is based near Dublin, was recoding his second recent success.

The third big-priced winner came in the Frank Fitzsimons Memorial handicap hurdle when Rachael Blackmore looked like adding another win to her impressive tally for the year when her mount Peacock’s Secret still held a good advantage going over the last.

It then looked like Wee Tiger was going to snatch the honours, only for Brien Kane to come with a late surge on 20/1 shot Doolough Lad in the colours of Sligo owner/trained Michael Hallinan to win from 5/4 favourite Wee Tiger with Peacock’s Secret third.

It was a first success for Hallinan and a late spare for Kane after intended rider Cathal Landers was taken to hospital following an early fall in the day’s second race. The unlucky rider was later reported to have a fractured sternum.

The Killultagh Estares novice hurdle saw the most popular winner of the day when Sir Benford Wales, in the colours of Ballygowan publican Jonathan Flanagan and trained in Co waterford by Henry De Bromhead, eased to an impressive win.

The winner was another success for this season’s leading jump jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Always travelling well, the partnership won from recent Down Royal winner lysis Naturea in the colours of Templepatrick owner Karen McNeilly. This one was ridden as usual by Karen Ferris and back in third was early leader Tegany. SP: 7/4 fav, 8/1, 9/1.

The final race on the card was the Molson Coors flat race and Co Meath owner/trainer Hugh Finegan had a welcome change of luck when Happy Lad, with Derek O’Connor on board, won in good style from Gordon Elliott’s Miss Aloud, ridden by Jamie Codd. Even money favourite Salty Boy finished third.

The wait is over this Saturday for the Mid Antrim point-to-point Autumn meeting at Moneyglass. Bad news for supporters is entry fee, including a race card is £10, compared to £5 entry and £5 race card.

Newry trainer Liam Lennon wishes to thank all those that gave him sponsorship in aid of the Injured Jockey’s Fund at a recent golf tournament. 

A recent evening geld in the Canal Court Hotel in memory of Kelly Hadden (nee Young), who sadly lost her long, hard battle with cancer, raised over £6,000 for the Cancer Unit at Belfast City Hospital. 

Kelly, who was unlucky not to ride a winner as an amateur at point-to-point meetings, did train her own horse to win a point-to-point at Kirkistown under the handling of Jason McKeown.

Her mother, Frances, wishes to thank everyone for their support, not only on the night, but also during Kelly’s illness.