TONY Martin and Kevin Sexton combined for a near 263/1 double at a packed Downpatrick last Sunday. It began when Bruant delivered a 40/1 shock in the Dunlop Homes Rated Novice Hurdle over an extended two miles and one furlong.

The four-year-old gelding travelled well in the hands of Kevin Sexton and made headway into third at the penultimate flight. Sexton sent him on after the last and they climbed the hill well to post a comfortable two-and-half-length success, for the Elizabethcarsonracing Syndicate, from Boston Rajj.

Martin said: “I’d say he will be a nice horse and hopefully he will make into a novice. Kevin has brilliant natural ability.”

This was Bruant’s fourth race in Ireland having won twice during his career on the flat in France.

Gone like the wind

Pralognan overcame Ar Nos Na Gaoithe by half a length in the Cab Plant Handicap Hurdle to secure the doubles for Martin and Sexton.

The 11/2 shot followed Ar Nos Na Gaoithe over the last and collared her in the closing stages before keeping on best for the Dewsweepers Syndicate.

The trainer said: “He’s a good horse but it hasn’t fell right for him. Today, Kevin was very good on him and it fell right for him. I didn’t know whether he would give it (effort), I saw his head going sideways. Lucky enough he did it well.”

PADDY O’Brien was another jockey in double-winning form and his run began on Theflyingbee who brought up plenty of bets when beating Maxios Prime by a length in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles.

She was backed from 10/3 to 5/2 favourite and raced prominently for O’Brien before going for home entering the straight after taking over from Dame Rapide.

Maxios Prime kept her honest, but couldn’t reel the leader, who is owned by the winning trainer Finbarr Hand.

The successful trainer said: “If she turned up in the form that she was in at Navan the last time (runner-up in December), I was giving her a fair chance. She will probably get further.

“She will go on better ground or heavier ground, she is very adaptable like that.”

Local owner

In the following race – the Download The Tote App Handicap Hurdle – O’Brien rode Tonaghneave Well to victory for Gavin Cromwell. The five-year-old gelding was strong in the market and moved into contention after the penultimate flight.

He improved into third over the last and grabbed the lead in the home straight. The 11/4 joint-favourite stayed on well to post a victory by a length and a quarter.

Cromwell said: “Great for the owner, Paul Kelly. He’s from not too far from here so it is nice for him to have a local winner. The horse has come here in good form today and I expected him to run well. He surprised me now, the way he stayed on.”

“Paddy works hard and is getting his chances now and he is taking them. He gave him a good ride claiming the 7lb, is great value for it, and he is riding well. He is spreading his wings a bit now, but he has been with us for a few years now and he is a good lad.”

Finn Brickley, rider of third-placed Bowensonfire, picked up a five-day ban for frequency with the whip.

Purple patch

Sean Cleary-Farrell booted home his fourth winner in just over a week aboard Yoradreamer for Willie Mullins in the Randox Maiden Hurdle.

The 11/8 favourite travelled well into second over the penultimate hurdle and picked off stablemate Dysart Dancer before the last. He strode right away after the last to put eight and a half lengths on Penny Express.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “He’s been very consistent. The owner [Roger Brookhouse] has been very patient. Sean Cleary-Farrell is obviously on a roll as well, and he did everything right.”

JUKEBOX Jury mare Liadawn impressed on debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race as she brought up a double for Willie Mullins.

Patrick Mullins was in the plate on the 1/2 favourite who was far from troubled in gliding to the front with a quarter of a mile to race.

She soon opened up and won as she pleased by 10 lengths for the Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate.

Jockey Mullins said: “Fantastic sire, it’s a brilliant pedigree. John O’Connor (breeder) and his sisters, particularly Anne, do a wonderful job with it and we’ve had a lot of success with it.

“I think we will try and have a crack at blacktype in a bumper, possibly Gowran or maybe Cheltenham in November. Then blacktype over hurdles, I think she is up to that class.”

Cinammon Roll (7/4 favourite) delivered for Gordon Elliott in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. The No Risk At All gelding was always to the fore on his debut over flights and regained the lead over the last.

Fondness

He confirmed his fondness for Downpatrick’s undulations as he galloped up the hill to score by two and three-quarter lengths in the hands of Carl Millar for owner Vincent Caldwell.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “He always looked like a horse that would develop and progress over obstacles as well. He showed a really good attitude today, I loved the way he gallops and sticks his head down and gallops honestly all the way to the line.

“It was a lovely performance by him, a nice starting point for him here back at a track he is proven at.”

Millar picked up a two-day suspension in relation to a careless riding incident turning into the home straight, while Kieran Callaghan was handed a four-day ban for excessive frequency with the whip on runner-up Full Confession.