Lavery keeps punters happy

Lavery keeps punters happy

28 March 2012 - by Raphael Mason

BALLYNOE jockey Declan Lavery rode his first ever track double to send the large Ulster Grand National crowd home happy at Downpatrick on Sunday.

Lavery, who rode local hope Moscow Mannon to fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, partnered Cork raider Supreme Doc for his first success in the maiden hunters’ chase, giving trainer William O’Brien his first ever winner on a racecourse.

Stephen Magee led over the final fence on recent Tyrella winner Harps Counsel but Lavery timed his run well on Supreme Doc to win by just over three lengths.

“It took five hours to get here today and we backed him. We needed a decent jockey who would hang onto him. Declan did exactly what he was told,” said owner Declan Dorgan.

Lavery landed his double when landing the gamble on well-supported favourite Gold Ability by half a length in the bumper.

Tom Taaffe’s Pontificating looked like spoiling the party for a while but Lavery forced his mount ahead in the shadow of the post to win by half a length as the crowd roared their approval.

“He was second in a good bumper first time out with subsequent grade one winner Cash and Go behind, but started to burst blood vessels. We will go to Fairyhouse provided we can get Declan to take the sevens pounds off him,” said Michael O’Hare in the winner’s enclosure.

Andrew Lynch and Brecan Boy denied hot favourite Cause of Causes and Paul Carberry in the opening race of the Toal’s Bookmakers sponsored seven-race card.

The Dublin owned 7/1 chance had a length to spare over the 2/9 hot-pot for trainer Peter Casey.

In the following race Gordon Elliott’s Dirar made up for an unlucky run in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham when cruising to victory under a confident Paul Carberry.

The former winner of the Ebor faced only three rivals and won with plenty in hand, leading after the last for a six lengths success.

“He was entitled to win that after winning an Ebor. Things didn’t work out at Cheltenham but came right today,” said Elliott in the winner’s enclosure.

Belfast owner Geoffrey Ruddock watched as his runner Gimli’s Return made up for a disappointing run at Leopardstown last time out when winning the handicap hurdle for trainer Jessica Harrington.

“He ran well all the way throughout the race and answered in good style when I pushed him up the hill,” said winning jockey Tom Treacy.

Duroob landed a gamble for connections when taking the feature race on the card, the Toal’s Ulster Grand National for popular Monaghan trainer Oliver Brady.

Colin McBratney’s local hope Selection Box cut out most of the running under Paul Carberry but was joined at the last by Treacy on the diminutive Duroob who scorched up the hill to win by three lengths from 11/4 favourite Talab for trainer Dessie Hughes, with 4/1 chance Carsonstown Boy a short-head back in third.

The winner was a 20/1 chance in the morning and landed a fair gamble, eventually returning at 8/1.

“I had a heart attack at the beginning of January and doctors told me I would never see another winner,” Brady said afterwards.

“I’ve had the horse for six years and he’s been crying out for this trip. He’s won four hurdles and jumps like a buck. We’ll go for the Irish Grand National if he gets in. The owner, Rita Shah, told me a few weeks ago she was going to buy a new car but I told her to wait and I’ll have one for her at the end of the month.”

As usual, the affable trainer treated racegoers to his popular after-race banter which was warmly received by the large crowd.

Dessie Hughes didn’t have long to wait for a winner when Bryan Cooper steered his runner Dun Masc to deny Larne runner Streamtown in the extended two mile five furlongs handicap chase.

The 6/1 chance hit the front four from home showing an appreciation for the faster underfoot conditions which appeared to help to his jumping, having disappointed previously at Leopardstown.

Next meeting: Friday, May 11