VICTOR Wilson’s Mon Storm served up a 16/1 surprise in the featured three-mile Tommy Donnelly Bookmaker Hurdle at Down Royal.

Last year’s winner Go Another One was a warm order at 4/5 to go in again and attempted to make all. However, he was headed on the run to the second last by Tullybeg who in turn was picked off by Mon Storm approaching the final flight.

The 10-year-old gelding stretched eight lengths clear on the run-in under Darragh O’Keeffe.

Co Down owner/trainer Wilson, who has four horses in training, said: “He always runs rightly and he had run well here before, he should have won here in June.”

On O’Keeffe’s ride, he added: “They say it (class) is forever, a wee bit of class helps!”

Third-reserve Dazzling Darren made the most of his opportunity in the Danny Boy Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles.

The 9/2 shot came home well to collar Kitty Galore (9/2) on the run-in after the latter had made a bold bid from the front. The winner kept on well to take the spoils by three and a quarter lengths.

Jockey Conor Maxwell, in owner Darren Cahill’s colours, said: “It was nice to come in for it and thankfully Gavin (Cromwell) put me up on him. I had a bit of form with him before, we were placed a few times on the flat.

“I had to really roust him along to get there and he got there well enough. He’s tough. He won in Galway and on his run in Galway he was entitled to win that.

“It has taken him a long time to get the hang of hurdles; he jumps well so hopefully that might just turn the corner. He jumped super and loved the ground. Maybe he is back in form after a bit of confidence on the flat in Galway.”

OWNER Ray Stokes looks to have a useful juvenile hurdler on his hands after Realist swept home in the McCartanbet.com Text-A-Bet 3-Y-O Hurdle.

The Camelot gelding, who was bred by Queen Elizabeth, scored once from his eight runs on the flat in Britain for Michael Bell, but took little time to adjust to hurdling for Denise Foster. The 14/1 shot began to make his move after the third last and made relentless headway to hit the front on the run-in. He wasn’t extended in winning by a comfortable length and three-quarters.

Jockey Bryan Cooper said: “He has plenty of speed and he was very well schooled by Denise. I didn’t have much light but it opened up down the straight. I’d say he has got a nice engine to go forward with. He’s one to look forward to.”

Mighty Meggsie lived up to her name with a five-length success in the Sean Graham Bookmaker Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The 4/5 favourite was sent on before the third last and forged on well to take the honours for trainer Jessica Harrington and owner Mrs Queally.

“It was a good performance. Her run in Tramore (when runner-up) was her first one in a while and she probably came on from the run and enjoyed the better ground,” said jockey Paul Townend.

“She is settling much better this year than last year; she was very keen last year. I’d say she is just growing up and learning the game. Hopefully they will have a bit of fun with her anyway.”

Rich Belief relished a step up in trip for the two-and-a-half-mile Danny Boy Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle.

Donagh Meyler unleashed him to lead after the final flight and the well-backed 7/2 chance powered five and a half lengths clear at the line.

Trainer Karl Thornton said: “He probably wants that trip. I’d say the experience has definitely stood to him - dropping back from a handicap to a maiden. I don’t usually like doing that but I thought it would be ideal around a big, galloping track with his experience.

“He’s owned by the Keelings (Ivan) who have been very good to me over the years and let me use their gallops when we had no gallops. I’m delighted to get it for them.”

WILLIAM Murphy’s journey up from Co Carlow paid dividends when Motion In Limine took the Pat O´Hare Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle at 50/1 for owner Natasha Langan.

From almost last halfway, he proved strongest over the three-mile trip as he got up close home by half a length under Simon Torrens.

Murphy said: “I hoped he would run well. He had a very good run at Navan earlier in the summer. He really wants quick ground - good, quick ground is key to him. Sligo the last day the ground was gone a bit on him.

“He had always worked well even as a young horse and he has basically been waiting for his ground. There is ability there but he just had no luck as a youngster. Given it was his first run in a handicap we were a little bit worried, but Simon gave him a brilliant ride and that’s the way to ride him.”

Hi Stranger was backed down to 8/11 for the Franco Hughes Away Bet Mares INH Flat Race and stretched away from her rivals after hitting the front approaching the final furlong. She sailed in by an easy six lengths for owner Brian Gleeson.

His son John Gleeson did the steering and said: “She has travelled really well into the race, she settled lovely for me. I wanted to ride her wide to keep it uncomplicated and she has a really, really good turn of foot.

“She is a nice filly and you would be excited by her. She has every right to go for a higher grade of race after that.

“It was (a good effort under the penalty) and she is not overly big either but she is strong, and for a four-year-old filly to do that I was impressed by her. John (Kiely) is a great man and without him I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. He has taught me everything and I am very grateful.

“It is my first time in Down Royal – it is a lovely track and all credit goes to Down Royal, they have done a great job.”