ONE of three winners at Downpatrick on Sunday for Meath trainer Gordon Elliott, Ravenhill proved a popular winner of the hannontravel.ie Maiden Hurdle as he was not only sent off the 6/4 favourite but runs in the colours of the north of Ireland-based Try Ravenhill Syndicate.

The eight-year-old Winged Love gelding raced for his breeders, the Metcalfe family, when trained for the point-to-point scene by George Stewart.

The bay ran seven times between the flags winning his maiden last time out at Loughanmore in late March 2016 when he justified favouritism by eight lengths under Mark O’Hare.

Ravenhill is the last of five recorded foals out of the Orchestra mare Rhythm Hill whose first produce was the three-time chase winner Ballycarney, a half-sister to the winners Trench Hill Lass and Quetal.

The Elliott-trained Count Simon was winning for the first time in the ownership of Pat Sloan when landing the Down Time Festival Rated Novice Hurdle.

The Rip Van Winkle gelding was purchased on behalf of his present connections at Tattersalls Newmarket last autumn by Newtownabbey-based Kevin Ross Bloodstock.

In the following Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle, Caledon trainer Andy Oliver sent out the first two home in the 10/1 shot Touchedbyanangel and J.P. Ledwidge’s Go Guarantor who was a 25/1 chance. The Andrew Lynch-partnered winner is owned by Bellaghy’s Ronnie Graffin.

Down Royal set for Derby day

HOT on the heels of last weekend’s two-day fixture at Downpatrick comes this weekend’s Summer Festival of Racing at Down Royal which opened last night with an all-jumps card.

Today’s meeting features the Magners Ulster Derby, a Premier Handicap for three-year-olds over an extended mile and a half, and the Lisburn Bowl Irish EBF Ulster Oaks Fillies Handicap for three-year-olds and upwards over an extended 10 furlongs.

For those more interested in fashion, you have up until the start of the second race at 2.25pm to enter the best dressed competitions which will be judged by Pete Snodden and Melissa Riddell.

The Magners best dressed lady competition offers a winning prize of a four-night trip to Iceland where you can enjoy viewing the northern lights, while the best dressed gentleman can look forward to wearing a £1,000 bespoke suit from the sponsor, Suitor Brothers.