Local trainers are toast of punters

Local trainers are toast of punters

11 June 2014

LOCAL trainers Colin McBratney and Brian Hamilton were the toast of punters at Downpatrick on Friday with both providing popular winners for their supporters.

McBratney’s Sarabad had to battle hard under jockey Ben Dalton to land the beginners’ steeplechase, showing showed guts aplenty to hit the line a head in front of Willie Mullins’ 7/4 favourite Wicklow Gold whose jockey Paul Townend received a two-day ban from the stewards for whip abuse.

Noel Meade’s Bose Ikard, a former winner at the track, was a length back in third under Paul Carberry.

“He ran a nice race at Fairyhouse and has improved since then and I knew he would stay the trip. He might head to Perth next for a novice event in July. He could even back to two miles as he has plenty of pace,” said McBratney in the winner’s enclosure.

Paul Townend’s day didn’t get off to a very promising start as he looked all over the winner of the opening race on the card when arriving at the second last full of running on Gigginstown runner Rough Justice in the maiden hurdle.

Townend was dumped to the ground as Rough Justice veered violently left approaching the hurdle leaving Mark Enright well clear on Paul Nolan’s Triplets Joy.

Enright didn’t have to get serious on the former Ballinaboola point-to-point winner, who had three lengths in hand of runner-up Well Tuned.

Successful trainer Nolan, who had a winner at the previous meeting with Solita in the bumper, was a regular visitor to the winners’ enclosure at Downpatrick in the past and will be hoping his recent good fortune may signal a change of luck for his stable.

Winning owner Dominic Stafford made the trip up from Enniscorthy and found the track to be one of the most unique he has ever visited.

“It’s a really unusual track. The TV doesn’t really show how testing the final finish is.”

Track specialist Preswell Lad — two wins and a place in previous starts — scored a third success at Downpatrick in the handicap hurdle and gave favourite backers a welcome change of luck in the process.

Michael Butler’s 7/4 chance first won at Downpatrick back in February 2008 and went from the front as soon as the tapes went up. After jumping the last Mikey Butler raced clear to win by five lengths from Couleur De La Loi with the locally trained Over Church Road back in third under Declan Lavery.

“He might be back next week if his legs are okay after this,” said Butler Snr. in the winner’s enclosure.

Gordon Elliott’s 8/1 chance Hilden came good at the fifteenth attempt when winning the Racing All The Way handicap hurdle in the hands of Davy Condon. Elliott purchased his winner at the Ascot Sales for £800 and the horse made a little bit of history as the first winner owned by the Tote Racing Club.

The well backed Fast Exit (9/2 to 6/1) brought up a double for the Butler team when getting the better of Paul Townend who had looked the likely winner on Treacy’s Star in the handicap chase.

However, Butler’s mount showed gritty determination up the hill to win by three parts of a length.

“Downpatrick is a lucky track for me. He ran well at Tramore and this race cut up a bit. He loved the ground today which was a good help,” said Butler Jnr. on dismounting.

Jamie Codd received a presentation from the track after winning the Irish point-to-point riders’ title recently but the champion had to settle for second on even money favourite Sizing Solution in the hunters’ chase behind Meath raider Rohan’s Pride.

The 3/1 chance was two lengths ahead at the final fence and jockey David O’Leary pushed his mount up the hill to extend the distance to six lengths at the post to give trainer Robert Honner his second success, having taken out a training licence back in March.

Ballynoe trainer Brian Hamilton introduced a nice looking sort in the bumper in the shape of Big Kern.

The 7/1 chance took up a handy position throughout the race under Lisa O’Neill who sent the son of Bach to lead inside the two furlong marker and keep up the gallop to deny 4/7 hot favourite Crofton Trail and Nina Carberry by just over two lengths.

‘He took a while to win his point-to-point as he had trouble settling in his races. He could be for sale and looks to have a future,” said Hamilton.