Double joy for McNamara

Double joy for McNamara

14 May 2014

ANDREW McNamara was the toast of the punters at Downpatrick on Friday when riding two market leaders to victory for a short-priced 12/1 double at the first evening meeting of the year.

McNamara’s first winner of the night came on 3/1 favourite Patrolman who was making a quick return to the track after finishing runner-up at Down Royal on Monday.

Shark Hanlon’s runner took closer order approaching the final flight and stuck to the task well up the hill to have three and a quarter lengths to spare over Liam McKenna on Shanroe Society with 10/1 chance Shabra’s Bertolini back in third.

“He was unlucky on Monday and could have won but for missing the last. We’ll give him a break and come back for Galway,” said Hanlon in the winner’s enclosure.

Shantou Flyer brought up McNamara’s double in the maiden hurdle with a decent showing for trainer Colin Bowe despite jinking left when taking off at the last.

After getting the landing gear out Shantou Flyer went clear of runner-up Pennys Tune and Derek Fox with Paul Townend four lengths back in third on Rory Sharvin’s locally trained Over Church Road.

“The step up in trip and better ground has helped today. He’s still a bit green, but should make into a nice novice hurdler,” said Bowe after chatting to the winning jockey.

Draycott Place justified strong market support in the opening maiden hurdle race, and appreciated a big in class to run out an easy four and three quarter lengths winner for John Patrick Ryan and jockey Paul Townend in the opening race of the card.

The 4/6 favourite could be one to keep on the right side of and was value for more than the official winning distance having been eased right down in the home straight after jumping the final flight with a commanding lead.

Eoin Doyle’s 9/1 chance Royal Chief was well down the field when making a handicap debut at Tipperary last month, but a change in tactics may have made the difference this time as Mikey Butler cut out the running on the former Lisronagh point-to-point winner.

The pair were challenged at the last by Danny Mullins on Jayo Time and Andrew McNamara on Jim Bowie. Approaching the stands Jim Bowie ranged alongside Royal Chief and Butler threw everything at his mount as both flashed past the winning post.

A photo finish was called with Royal Chief getting the nod by a nose and then having to await the outcome of a stewards’ enquiry before being declared the official winner.

Waterloo Chateau was a 20/1 to 10/1 on-course gamble for the handicap chase and made the day a happy one when providing jockey Mark Flanagan with his first winner on the track in four years.

Ger Keane’s runner took advantage of a mistake at the last by Barney Jones’ Hidden Present and despite being off the track for a while, was able to keep going to deny 11/4 favourite Preswell Lad and Mikey Butler by three parts of a length.

Ballymena trainer Ian Ferguson saddled yet another winner at Downpatrick when 9/10 chance Walden showed a liking for decent underfoot conditions to run out an easy winner of the maiden hunters’ chase under regular pilot Willie Thompson.

Handily placed throughout the race, Thompson cleared the final fence in good style and eased clear of 33/1 chance Ballinahow Rover to win by four and three parts of a length.

“He’s in the sales at Doncaster, but we’ll see what happens now. He had problems getting home previously, but has improved on the faster ground tonight,” said Ferguson.

Paul Nolan has been a regular face in the winner’s enclosure at Downpatrick in days gone bye and saddled 25/1 chance Solita to land a shock in the Pineau De Re Flat Race in the hands of Barry O’Neill.

The King’s Theatre gelding had been off the track for ten months after two disappointing runs but raced clear at the business end to record a seven lengths victory over Margaret Mullins’ 5/2 shot Cut Loose with Stephen Magee’s Kilclief runner News For Pascal close up in third.

Gordon Elliott’s Better Part Of Me was a well fancied 11/10 favourite but trailed home well down the field with jockey Nina Carberry reporting that her mount had hung left throughout the race.

Friday’s meeting also marked the introduction of full on-course Tote betting facilities for punters at Downpatrick. This means local punters can now chase a big win for a small investment on one of the many Tote pool multi-leg bets.

Next meeting: Fri. 6 June (evening).