Downpatrick racecourse in sunshine for Ulster National

29 March 2017

SPRING was certainly in the air at a sunny Downpatrick on Sunday as a bumper crowd packed into the track in anticipation of some top class racing on Toal’s Ulster Grand National day.

The feature race saw Portadown raider Anseanachai Cliste get up in a thrilling finish to overhaul Definite Ruby and Tulsa Jack in the race up the home straight to snatch victory by a head in front of a packed grandstand.

Successful trainer Stephen McConville was confident his runner would put in a bold show following decent efforts in point-to-points which included victory in the four-miler at Kinsale after which he had a slight set-back.

“We were very hopeful before the race as he had a decent weight and no concerns about the trip or the track,” said McConville in the winner’s enclosure.

Anseanachai Cliste may head to England next for a tilt at the Stratford three and a half miler.

Wexford handler Liz Doyle saddled 11/4 chance Derulo to win the Guinness Rated Hurdle when proving six lengths better than Gordon Elliott’s Ballela Boy who was a head in front of Katie O’Farrell on Little Stevie.

Sean Flanagan’s mount made a hash of the second last flight and Doyle indicated that she may step the winner up in distance.

“He looks like he needs two and a half miles on that evidence. We’ll look at Punchestown and hope we get some nice ground,” Doyle said afterwards.

Sligo trainer Mark McNiff knows how to prime a horse for Downpatrick and once again he hit the jackpot when Andratx made every post a winning one in the handicap hurdlle, landing a massive gamble for connections and those fortunate enough to hear a whisper or two on the track.

Backed from 25/1 to 7/1, the four-year-old chestnut gelding led the field a merry dance in the hands of Andrew Ring and after clearing the final hurdle raced clear to have four lengths in hand of runner-up Mister First under Andrew Lynch with Brian O’Connell and One Can Cally a length and a half back in third.

Wicklow trainer Philip Rothwell watched on from inside the rails as Merrion Row and Danny Mullins got the better of favourite I’m An Izz Wizz and Katie O’Farrell in an exciting finish to the Racing Post Handicap Steeplechase.

“Philip has done a good job with him and he hasn’t been the easiest to train,” said Mullins after dismounting in the winner’s enclosure.

Katesbridge trainer Gerry Cosgrave and jockey Mark O’Hare gave the Carnglave Racing Syndicate a day to remember when Clondaw Frisby put in a fine display of jumping to win the hunters’ chase from favourite Jammin Masters ridden by Michael Stenson for trainer Ted Walsh.

“He is a great wee horse and his owners just love him. We might think of a trip to Punchestown for him next,” Cosgrave said following the race.

A bad day for favourite backers didn’t get any better in the bumper with Dawn Shadow winning decisively for Westmeath trainer Dot Love.

The King’s Theatre filly was eleven lengths superior to the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite Coeur De Beauchene with Liam Lennon’s Amarillo Rose third under Katie O’Farrell.

Next meeting: May 5.

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