ANDREW Lynch was in double-winning form at a packed Down Royal on the May bank holiday.

The jockey enjoyed an armchair ride on 5/4 favourite Canardier in the opening Pat O’Hare Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle.

The French-bred travelled well to hit the front after the second last and drew clear of his 19 rivals to win by six and a half lengths for Slattery Bloodstock Limited.

Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “We were waiting on that ground all year. He got a bit of a blip at Leopardstown when he was travelling well in the straight and he nearly got knocked down. He’ll learn a bit from today.

“When he won his bumper we thought he was a nice horse. He was in a long time without running which wasn’t good but we freshened him up a bit. We might look for a nice novice and step him up in trip - maybe somewhere like Galway.”

Lynch had to work harder on board Ejayteekay (7/1) in the Sean Graham Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle again over two miles. The pair were kept honest on the run-in by I’ve Got Rhythm who closed to within half a length at the line.

Gavin Cromwell trains the mare for Dromore owner Brian Poots and said: “Better ground helped her. It was bottomless ground in Uttoxeter and she was way too keen and didn’t stay. She just about gets two miles.

“She jumped a bit better but probably got to the front a bit too soon. I think flat tracks and good ground (suit her).”

The featured Daily Mirror Handicap Chase had a very competitive look to it as Our Dougal went off 5/1 favourite. He finished last of the 11 runners, though, and was found to have burst a blood vessel afterwards.

FORGED AHEAD

The race went to Adrian Keatley’s Drumconnor Lad (6/1) who overtook Draycott Place on the run-in and forged ahead by two and three quarter lengths, in the hands of Roger Loughran.

Owner David Keys, from Glenavy, was represented by his father Graham who said: “We were optimistic. On his last run at Leopardstown he hit a number (of fences) and he came home sick. He loves that ground. The plan is to hopefully keep him going, maybe as far as Galway.”

Drumconnor Lad was due to run at Kilbeggan last night.

Moonshine Bay travelled in snatches but put his best work in at the business end of the three-mile Belfast Live Hurdle. Robbie Power, in the Ann & Alan Potts colours, sent the even-money favourite on by three and three-quarter lengths.

Jessica Harrington’s assistant Kate Harrington eyed future plans as she said: “He made hard work of that but he got the job done. He’ll probably head to the field now and go chasing next autumn.

“He’s a massive chasing type and he’s only going to improve over the winter with a summer’s grass under his belt. He’s a proper stayer and hopefully he might turn into one of those kind of National-type horses in a couple of years time.”

NECK

Gigginstown’s Peace News, who was once rated 141 over hurdles, made a winning start over fences in the Daily Mirror Beginners Chase as he held on by a neck.

The 11/8 favourite was strongly pressed to the line by Justmemyselfandi but flashed past first with Davy Russell in the plate.

Alan Cody, on behalf of Henry de Bromhead, said: “His jumping got him there. He ran well and smaller fields suit him better. He’ll be kept going now, he loved that ground. Onwards and upwards.”

Lisa O’Neill steered home Sizing Rome (4/1) in the Peggy Hagan Memorial Hunters Chase for a second winner on the card for the Potts’ silks.

Her mount led narrowly from 5/2 favourite Eddies Miracle at the last but ran on strongly to open up a gap of four and a half lengths.

“Tom and Jim (Dreaper) have done a great job with him,” O’Neill said. “He has really come to himself today and the better ground definitely helped. He was long at the last but it was probably the winning of the race. All credit to him.”

DEBUT

Noel Meade and Mark O’Hare teamed up to land the bumper with newcomer Jerandme.

The son of Azamour stuck to his task well in the final furlong as he prevailed by three-quarters of a length at 9/2 for the Harbrio Partnership.

Meade said: “He was very green, he was very keen early too. He stays really well and I thought this better ground would suit him. I’d say when he learns how to race a little bit better he’s useful. We might try a winners’ bumper with him.”

On jockey O’Hare, he added: “He has struck very lucky with us. That’s his fourth or fifth bumper winner for us since he started riding.

“He was lucky that Nina (Carberry) left us! It’s the right place at the right time. He started to ride out with us two or three months ago and he was only coming down just to keep himself fit.

“He has so much experience, he’s been riding for years yet he’s claiming 5lbs.”

ACTING STEWARDS

R. S. Martin, F. Cahill, H.M. Ferguson, J. Collins, M.F. O’Donoghue

HORSE TO FOLLOW

KHANISARI (Ms E. Holden) Caught a tartar in the winner but there was plenty of merit in being runner-up on debut.