Ulster National takes place behind closed doors.. again

Ulster National takes place behind closed doors.. again

24 March 2021

FOR the second season in succession, Downpatrick’s most important race of the year was run behind closed doors.

Even so, a lot of fans took the opportunity to enjoy the racing that is the natural grandstand of Jim Crows Hill along the Vianstown Road.

The Randox Ulster National, the richest and also the longest race at Downpatrick at three milesand four furlongs, saw the maximum 15 runners go to post.

Victory went to Fae An Bealach, trained in Co Meath by Tony Martin and ridden by the excellent Darragh O’Keefe, who put in a good finish to fend off two local hopes in Flinch, trained at Crossgar by Colin McBratney, and third-placed Askann, trained by Mervyn Torrens for his wife, Anne.  Torrens previously won the race back in 2011 with Hughies Grey. SP: 17/2, 50/1, 16/1.

The first three home in the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase were locally owned and trained, and two of them had local riders.

First past the judge was Big Leg Up in the colours of Moira vet Ian Moore. Pulled up in his two most recent point-to-points, the 16/1 shot provided a first winning ride for Simon Cavanagh.

Winning trainer Gerry Cosgrave, from Katesbridge, saddled Honeysuckle to win her first race at a point to point. The mare, which won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last week, is unbeaten in 11 runs under rules.

In a good battle for second the grey Dento Des Obeaux, ridden by Noel McParlan for Downpatrick businessman Liam Gibney, held off Tareeshar, owned by Loughinisland’s Paddy Madine and ridden by Deckie Lavery. Both horses are trained by Downpatrick’s Paddy Turley, who is based in the centre of the racecourse.

The third race on the card, WKD Handicap Chase, was won by Springfield Lodge, ridden by Cheltenham winning jockey Jordan Gainford who made the trip from Cork worth it for trainer Eoghan O’Grady.

Mullaghmurphy Blue, ridden by another Cheltenham winning jockey in Keith Donoghue, was second with Crack on Corrie in third. SP: 17/2, 18/1, 17/2.

This victory provided recently turned professional Gainford his first career double after winning the day’s opening race, the Connollys Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, with 13/8 favourite Stranger Danger.

In second place was Gelee Blanche, ridden by champion jockey Paul Townend, who made the running until the final flight. Sam Lorenzo, ridden by Neil Gault for his uncle, Ballyclare-based Billy Bryson, kept on well to finish third. SP: 13/8 fav, 10/3, 40/1. 

The winner is trained in Co Meath by Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster who is now in charge at the stables of Gordon Ellliot, the champion trainer at Downpatrick in recent years.

In the Randox Rated Hurdle, Pure Genius, trained by Ted Walsh, made every post a winning one in the well known green and gold hooped colours of JP McManus. Ridden by his retained Irish-based jockey Mark Walsh, the easy winner was followed home by Bold Enough and Mitehouka.

The WKD Handicap Hurdle Race was won by 16/1 outsider My Manekineko, owned and trained by former top amateur James Nash at the Curragh. The gelding was ridden by 7lb claimer Michael O’Connor.

Justbecool, ridden by Paddy Kennedy, took second and in third was Lilys gem, owned and trained in Larne by Stuart Crawford and ridden by his brother, Ben.

The concluding race on the card was the Molson Coors (pro-am) flat race and the always placed 13/2 shot Drumbear took first place ahead of Deckie Lavery on Tempo Chapter Two. Game And Glory, ridden by Patrick Mullins for Lisburn owner John Leckey, finished third.

Winning jockey Ben Harvey has taken a liking to the track after he rode Space Cadet to win last year’s Ulster National.