Punters of all ages flock to family day

Punters of all ages flock to family day

17 July 2013

DOWNPATRICK’S biggest crowd in modern times enjoyed a sun-drenching day of racing action and funfair activities on Saturday with colourful outfits and cool shades bringing the Ascot feel to the local track.

There were plenty of entertainment to delight the crowd of over 5,000 with displays from The Leaping Leprechauns, best dressed competitions, funfair attractions and a chance to win a trip to Spain among some of the main attractions.

With hardly a of rainfall worth recording in the past month or more, the ground was in immaculate condition and many of the jockeys praised the efforts of the staff to have the track in such magnificent condition.

Robbie Colgan teamed up with Louth trainer Michael O’Hare to good effect in the opening race on the card when guiding 5/2 favourite Cracking Man to a length’s success ahead of Pepparpot ridden by Danny Mullins for his mum Mags.

The winner was a drifter in the market having been available at 11/10 with Paddy Power in the morning and was running for the first time since disappointing at Down Royal a year ago.

Pepparpot had led over the last, but O’Hare’s charge, making his debut over hurdles, kept on well up the hill to win by a length at the line.

Gordon Elliott’s Time To Work (inset) and champion jockey Davy Russell turned over 4/7 hot-pot Dylan Ross in the Winner Alright Hurdle. The five-year-old son of Hurricane Run was a winner at Down Royal on St. Patrick’s Day but had disappointed in three runs since.

However, Russell rode a confident race behind the Noel Meade trained favourite and jumped to the front at the final hurdle before racing clear for a 10 lengths’ success.

After the race Russell was quick to commend the efforts of the staff at the track. “You’d imagine it would be difficult to water a track like Downpatrick, but the ground is beautiful,” said the champion jockey.

Time To Work was giving Meath trainer Elliott his third winner in the race in the last four years.

Jabus, owned by Patrick McElroy from Ballyward, sprang a bit of a surprise when leading from flagfall to win the handicap hurdle for Tyrone trainer Andy Oliver.

Mark Enright decided to be positive on the 14/1 chance right from the word go and had eighteen lengths to spare over Philip Rothwell’s runner-up Ta Blazes (16/1) under Andrew Ring, with 7/2 favourite Pumped Up Kicks and Steven Clements four lengths back in third.

Brian Hamilton’s local runner Over Church Road (4/5 fav.) was a strong fancy in the maiden hurdle but ruined any chance of victory when landing awkwardly at the final flight and in doing so opened the door for Robbie Colgan to secure a double on the day on the Tony Martin trained 5/1 chance The Finger Post.

The son of former Irish Derby winner Zagreb is well thought of by Martin. “He works like a good horse and should make a decent staying sort.”

The market got it spot on in the maiden hurdle when Davy Condon and 6/4 favourite Silver Tassie sauntered to victory for Meath trainer Noel Meade.

The Shantou gelding got off the mark over hurdles in eye-catching fashion and led with over a circuit to run. Although less than foot perfect over the last the race was as good as over at that stage and Condon was able to ease down at the line to win by 21 lengths from Davy Russell on the Gigginstown House Stud 4/1 chance Troubled.

Presenting Kate gave Meath handler Dermot Anthony McLoughlin’s small string a boost when all out to deny 100/30 favourite Easy Vic by a short head in the handicap hurdle at odds of 14/1.

The winner was McLoughlin’s second success in nearly a week after Ocean Bright had won at Bellewstown at 33/1 the previous Sunday.

“He has had wind problems which meant we had to have him operated on,” said McLoughlin. “The ground was in super order and Conor gave him a great ride.”

The mares’ bumper had a bit of added spice to it with each of the 15 runners carrying the hopes of winning a trip to Spain for one lucky racegoer.

Dessie Hughes’ 6/4 favourite, Lipinski, looked the likely winner entering the home straight, but Katie Walsh rode a masterful tactical race to collar the favourite in the climb up the hill and grab first place on 6/1 chance Keith’s Delight for Carlow trainer Pat Fahy.

In doing so Walsh secured a Jet2.com sponsored trip to Spain for delighted Co. Down lady Lorraine Campbell, who was present to receive her prize from track manager Richard Lyttle and representatives of the airline following the race.

Next meeting: Sunday, August 11.