MANY congratulations to Downpatrick’s marketing and administration executive Ruth Black and Steven Morrison who were married last Saturday when, to no great surprise, the weather was just perfect for their reception at the racecourse.

A week previously, the bride’s ‘preparations’ for the wedding had involved a trip away with Downpatrick manager Richard Lyttle to Aintree where they were guests of Randox Health and had their photograph taken with the impressive Grand National Trophy.

Photographs of Ruth and Steven leaving their marriage ceremony on Saturday were shown on the big screens as they and their guests arrived at the track while the caterers likewise used the photographs on the wedding banquet menus. The newlyweds are on honeymoon in Co Clare.

Hopefully, the weather will be just as good next Friday at Downpatrick where it’s Viva Las Vegas evening at the track. There are two hospitality packages on sale both of which end with music after racing with Elvis tribute performer, Jim Brown, ‘The King’.

On Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th, there is a National Hunt meeting at Down Royal where the feature race is the €20,000 Daily Mirror Handicap Chase over two miles.