DERMOT McLoughlin enjoyed a double on the card initiated by second reserve Joya Del Mar (11/2) in division two of the Denvir’s Of Downpatrick (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle.

Successful over course and distance on her penultimate start, the Giles-Fahey and Mangan-owned mare initially disputed and led before the fourth hurdle. Jack Sutton asked her for more from two out and she responded, going on to win by four and a quarter lengths.

McLoughlin said: “She obviously won well here the last day and she seems to enjoy it here. She ran in Sligo the other day and Ricky (Doyle) rode her and said she didn’t even blow out a candle.

“I don’t know, she’s a tricky filly. Once she is sweet, she keeps going and that is the main thing for them all.”

Support justified

Liam McKenna made all aboard McLoughlin’s Finnians Row in the Racing TV-sponsored handicap chase, following up on last month’s win over course and distance.

He was backed down to 5/1 for this assignment, and his supporters had few moments of worry bar a mistake at the fourth fence. The Anne McCartan and Frances Smyth-owned 10-year-old turned the screw on his rivals three out and was kept up to his work to win by four and a half lengths.

The trainer said: “Once he gets his head in front, he seems to enjoy it.

“It is great for the two ladies that own him and stuck by him. He had a few poor runs, but he seems to be back in form.”

Young at heart

McLoughlin had to settle for second in the Kevin Ross Bloodstock Handicap Chase, as John Carr’s 13-year-old Fr Gilligansvoyge (18/1) ran out a game winner of under Sarah Kavanagh.

Kavanagh sent the Richard Farrell-owned veteran on from four out and although he fiddled the last, dug deep to deny Malton Groove by half a length.

Carr said: “This will definitely be his last year, we are saying that every year! You couldn’t retire him the form he is in, though.”

PHILIP Donovan rode out his claim with a wide-margin victory on Saunton Surf in the C. Russell Auto Sales Beginners Chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.

The 11/8 favourite was challenged by Anodandawink over the penultimate flight but asserted before the last and galloped home strongly to prevail by 10 lengths in the colours of the GeeGees Syndicate.

Trainer Gary McGill said: “She won a bumper and went hurdling and sort of lost her way a wee bit. I think (fences could be the making of her); she has sweetened up lovely from when we got her. She’s a different mare and turned inside out for us.

“We always have that to drop back to hurdling. We will probably keep her going for the summer. We’ll see what else there is chasing in say four or five weeks’ time.”

Progressive

Eoin Doyle’s Corway improved from an opening fifth at Kilbeggan last month to land the Tote-sponsored bumper under Paddy Cody.

The 14/1 chance raced towards the rear and stayed on into third a furlong and a half down. He moved into second a furlong out and kept on well to lead inside the final 100 yards, going on to win by three-quarters of a length in the colours of Mrs P. Doyle.

Cody reported: “I knew today, if he was running on coming up the hill, he would finish out very strong which he did.

“He has a great attitude, tries very hard, and hopefully he is a nice horse going forward.”

BROSNA Queen maintained Sonny Carey’s good record at Downpatrick with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle for owner Tony Kilduff.

From fourth at halfway, she travelled well for Ricky Doyle to hit the front before the last. The 11/4 joint favourite opened up on the run-in and was eased in the closing stages to strike by a length and a quarter.

Carey said: “She’s out of a Hawk Wing mare and she is a Getaway, she probably just wants that bit of better ground.

“Downpatrick has been for lucky for us and we have always been very lucky up north, in Down Royal as well.”

Course form

Cozone (3/1 favourite) won over almost two miles six furlongs at Downpatrick in March and repeated the feat over an extended two miles and one furlong in the Randox Handicap Hurdle.

James Smith did the steering for his father Matthew Smith and settled the nine-year-old gelding in mid-division. The pair made good headway from two out and came through to challenge over the last. A less than fluent jump didn’t impede the Debbie Kelly-owned gelding, as he stayed on to lead in the closing stages and won by four and a quarter lengths going away.

The winning rider said: “For the first half mile, I was thinking he might want two miles and six furlongs, but they went a mad gallop and I kind of knew it wouldn’t hold up.

“He kind of takes a bit to warm up, so I just let him go along and pop around behind them.”

Winning favourite

Nakassama’s close second at Ayr in March saw him go off 11/10 favourite for division one of the Denvir’s Of Downpatrick (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle, and he justified favouritism in good style.

Oran McGill was in the plate for Noel Kelly and made steady progress to guide his mount into the lead after the last. Nothing finished better than the All Play & No Work Syndicate’s gelding who ran away with the spoils by four and a quarter lengths.

McGill said: “He loves that good ground, and we knew he acted around here, so it was a nice wee race for him.”