FINE Rightly proved the class act on show when running out an effortless winner of the featured Daily Mirror Chase at Down Royal on Thursday. Just three lined up for the three-and-a-quarter mile contest and Stuart Crawford saddled two of the trio.

Fine Rightly, under Andrew Lynch, went to post a 1/3 shot and sauntered away from stable-mate Yes Tom before the second last to settle matters. Patricia Duffin’s charge went on to record an easy seven-and-a-half length success. Draycott Place stayed on to claim the runner-up spot.

The winning trainer was in Cheltenham and his brother Steven said afterwards: “He’s better left-handed. If he keeps getting this ground he won’t run on it as he needs soft ground. He’s a possible for Punchestown.”

Colms Dream proved another easy odds-on winner earlier on the card when claiming the Silks@DownRoyal Handicap Hurdle. Karl Thornton’s charge enjoyed a 45lb lower mark back over timber and cruised a few lengths clear coming to the last in the three-mile contest. Donagh Meyler started to ease down close home on the 9/10 shot and his blushes were spared by the line as Troll D’Oudairies got within a head.

“He was entitled to do it. He’s probably a better chaser. He’s very slick and clever and reverts back to hurdles well,” said Thornton. I thought about the Daily Mirror Chase but he was 6lbs wrong (with Fine Rightly). He’ll go to Punchestown for a novice handicap chase.

“I did think about Cheltenham but the English handicapper ran him off 136 in Musselburgh and I didn’t want him running off big weights so maybe next year.” Ken Farrell from Lusk heads up the Colm’s Dream Syndicate and the members are from Lusk, Swords and Newry.

STRONG FINISH

Favourite backers also collected in the concluding Weatherbys Ireland GSB (Mares) Bumper when Dixie Lee came with a strong late surge. Sunset Marquis was chased down inside the final furlong as Mark O’Hare conjured a storming finish from the 5/4 favourite.

Dermot McLoughlin, who trains the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor for Pat Conway, said: “She wants a bit of nice ground. She has run some nice races. Mark said she travelled well and quickened up nicely. She wants top of the ground. She could go for the mares race at Liverpool.”

Pointview Gale sprang a shock when landing the Daily Mirror Hunters Chase at 20/1 for Liam Lennon. There was no fluke about his victory, however, as he moved up to challenge five from home and went on before the last for a four-length success under Anthony Fox.

Lennon said: “It wasn’t a surprise to me. He had a couple of good runs but he’s had niggly problems with shins and the like. We never got a true run with him until six weeks ago. James Smyth did all his schooling before he retired and he worked him at the weekend and said he would go well.”

Owner Patrick Heaney is from Newry, Co Down. It was Fox’s first winner since reverting back to amateur status.

WON BY A NOSE

The jockey’s twin brother Ger was also successful earlier on the card when getting Kylestyle home in a pulsating finish to the Pat O’Hare Bookmakers Rated Novice Chase.

Francis Flood’s charge came through to press Some Drama at the last and just got his head in front at the line to deny his rival by a nose.

Francis Flood junior said: “That’s great. I’m not sure if he’s good enough for a winners of one. We might end up in handicaps. Punchestown would be in mind if he got into a handicap, the big fences would suit him.

“He ended up with a very high handicap mark over hurdles. He had a fall in Fairyhouse and from there he didn’t have the best of runs so its good to see him come back to the winner’s enclosure.”

There was a family success in the opening Daily Mirror Maiden Hurdle as Mount Beckham scored for the Cannons. Sean Flanagan produced the 8/1 shot to challenge at the last and he stayed on well to get the better of Laid Back Luke on the run-in. The winner ducked right, across his rival, close to home but the result stood after a stewards’ inquiry.

Cannon said afterwards: “After he was second at Leopardstown Dad said to put him away. He has been very patient. Two and a half miles last time was too far for him. We dropped him back and the better ground helped.” Her father Geoff Cannon, from Donaghadee, Co Down, said: “I would love to see him go chasing. He jumps for fun. He’s actually better going left-handed.” Cannon has four horses in training, all owned by her father.

Theo was left to come home a comprehensive winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for Shane Donohoe. Conor Brassil produced his mount to lead two from home and he had a length advantage when he nearest challenger Tyrone Tiger crashed out at the last. He went on to score by four and three-quarter lengths.

“Shane just told me to drop him in. He just kept finding, went very quickly to the front, and finished it out well,” said Brasil afterwards.

ACTING STEWARDS

R. S. Martin (Chairperson), L. McFerran, J. McCoy, Mrs A. Millar, P.W. Murtagh

HORSE TO FOLLOW

COLMS DREAM (Karl Thornton): Won as he liked and could be place to win another handicap hurdle in the near future.