Success for O’Keefe at Downpatrick

Success for O’Keefe at Downpatrick

1 September 2021

MONDAY’S Bank Holiday race meeting at Downpatrick — in normal time also Ladies’ Day — saw jockey Darragh O’Keefe take the honours when he recorded a double.

It was good to have two locally owned and trained winners on the seven-race card.

O’Keefe’s first success came in the day’s second race, a handicap hurdle, when he drove home 20/1 chance Ask The Leader, trained at Derrylin by top local point-to-point trainer David Christie,. 

The winner beat Alexherwill which finished fast under Enniskillen jockey Ryan Treacy, while third was Offaly Star, ridden by Richie Deegan.

His second win came in the Randox Health maiden hurdle when he made all the running on Gateau De Miel to beat Bout Time Bobby, the mount of Tyrone jockey Simon Torrens, with Hymie Weiss third.

The winner is trained by Grand National-winning trainer Henry De Bromhead, who is a fan of the local track that once again provided perfect ground.

Also over hurdles was the Road Stud Installations LTD handicap hurdle with the maximum 15 runners going to the post.

The 3/1 favourite, Favori Logique, trained by Ross O’Sullivan, provided Armagh jockey Shane O’Callaghan, who had his first ever winner at Downpatrick, with another success at the venue.  The second finisher was Tango Theatre with Kings Song in third.

The first race on the card was the AJC Group maiden hurdle and here Co Meath trainer John McConnell continued his run that he had at the most recent meeting when 11/2 shot Clondan Hollow, with Brian Hayes in the saddle, beat the evens favourite, Hurricane Georgie, and Elderado.

A good day for the trainer as he also had a double at the Cartmel meeting.

The popular chases were back on the card again (earlier than usual) and in the first of these, the Adare Manor beginners chase, James O’Sullivan set out to make all on Bentham. 

He looked like succeeding, only for Jordan Gainford to put in a driving finish on Corran Cross, trained in Co Meath by Sneezy Foster, to snatch victory. Back in third here was outsider Seanshothan.

Jordan has ridden over 20 winners recently and is a rising star in jump racing.

Drummulagh Rocky, who pulled up on his most recent outing at Tipperary, was sent into the lead by Conor Maxwell as soon as starter Joe Banaghan ped his flag in the Caughoo handicap chase.

Always travelling and jumping well, the horse made all to just last home ahead of the late challenge of runner-up Clody Valley, with My Manekineko third. The winner is trained at Cabra by Sean McParlan. SP: 12/1 9/1 8/1.

Only seven went to post in the concluding bumper race and here Quiet Escape kept going well in the closing stages to hold off the Jamie Codd ridden favourite Another Choice.

Trained by Michael Molloy, the winner was a first ride at Downpatrick for successful jockey Jodie Townend, who is a sister of champion N H jockey Paul. Both work for Willie Mullins.

Only four bookmakers were present for the meeting.

There is racing again at Down Royal on Friday.