JIM Bolger put his name on the roll of honour in the Ulster Derby for the seventh time when Change Of Velocity (7/2) triumphed in this year’s renewal of the Magners-backed Down Royal premier handicap.

Citizen Edward dead-heated for the Coolcullen maestro here in 2001 but the Godolphin-owned Change Of Velocity didn’t have to share the spoils as he put in a ominant display.

Kevin Manning’s mount was never far away before prevailing by three lengths from Sheberghan (5/2 favourite).

“It has been a lucky race for Jim, he always sends a nice type of horse up here and that’s what it takes to win this race,” said Manning. “He’s a big horse with plenty of development still to do. He’s going the right way.” The winner was due to run again at the Curragh last night.

Colm O’Donoghue, jockey of the final finisher, City Ballerina (5/1), said that his mount lost her action.

Sheberghan, runner-up in the big one, represented the Aga Khan, but the famous green and red silks were later carried home in front by Chris Hayes on Kalaxana (6/4 favourite) in the Lisburn Bowl Irish EBF Ulster Oaks Fillies Handicap.

Godolphin, Bolger and Manning were relegated to the runners-up berth here, as their Active Approach failed by two and three-quarter lengths to cope with the Michael Halford-trained winner.

“She is so straightforward in her temperament and you can ride her any way you like,” commented Halford.

“We’ve always liked her a lot and it has just taken her a while to get there.

“Once the fillies get the sun on their back and they start winning their confidence comes on.

“We’ll certainly be stepping her up (in class). She’s so relaxed you would think she could go any trip.”

MCDONOGH BRACE

Declan McDonogh was the headline maker, riding the last two winners for a 93/1 brace.

Mark McNiff handles Last Garrison (20/1) for the Atlantic Wave Syndicate, and this Mustameet gelding stormed home from off the pace down the outer to claim the Down Royal Handicap.

The winner’s stable companion Dayereh (5/1) could manage only seventh, and it was Lucky Red and Vocal Resurgence who did best of the rest.

At the line Last Garrison was a neck and the same up on Lucky Red (not clear run) and Vocal Resurgence (had looked a likely winner from the front). At an improvement in form enquiry McNiff pointed to the fact that having McDonogh aboard was a factor, as he’d won on the horse before.

Dropping Last Garrison out, challenging wide with plenty of light, and the application of blinkers were other contributing factors to the improved performance. Those explanations were noted.

McDonogh also claimed the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden in the Hamdan Al Maktoum colours, this time on Dermot Weld’s first-time visored Manzil (7/2).

The Bated Breath gelding was tough from the front to contain Needs To Be Seen (3/1 second favourite) and Elysian Plains (5/4 market-leader) by half a length and a neck.

“You couldn’t question his attitude, he saw them off one by one. He might get a little bit further,” remarked McDonogh.

Ronan Whelan said that Maunganui (7/1) lost his action in the last furlong after he’d finished fifth of the seven runners.

RIGHT NOTE

Trainer and rider of Elysian Plains, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane, had earlier started the day on the right note with Kafu (11/8 favourite) in the Rainbow Communications Maiden.

The David Spratt and Sean Jones-owned Kafu powered home in the closing stages to put two and a quarter lengths between himself and Rangefield Express (11/4 second market choice).

“We were drawn out (wide) a little bit but the run under his belt helped,” said Keane after his win on the No Nay Never colt.

There was an expectation that the Spratt silks would get another successful airing in the following Louis Roederer Handicap. Representing Johnny Levins, Nigg Bay (9/4 favourite) finished third, and his rider Colin Keane reported that his mount was slowly away.

COLLARED IN THE CLOSING STAGES BY LYNAM RUNNER

Up front in this five-furlong event, Soffia (3/1) collared Abstraction in the closing stages for a one and a quarter-length success.

Robbie Downey rode Soffia for Lady O’Reilly and the three-year-old daughter of Kyllachy was providing trainer Eddie Lynam with his third win in succession in this sprint handicap.

Downey also won on the stable’s Lady Mega in 2016 and Miss Power last year.

Harry Rogers provided Downey with yet another win in this long-standing Ulster Derby Day event, on Calm Bay in 2014.

Killian Leonard had to make do with second place on Abstraction behind Soffia, but 35 minutes on he got a winning turn aboard Goodnite Irina in the Value Cabs Handicap.

Leonard got the 5/2 victor past prominent racing favourite Admirality (2/1) 150 yards out for owner Tom Brennan and trainer Pat Martin.

From there she went on to triumph by a length and a quarter.

“Mine stays seven (furlongs) really well. I knew I had him (Admirality) covered two down. She wasn’t doing a whole lot when I got there but she’s very genuine,” reported Leonard.

Chris Hayes rode the sixth home, Baby Power (5/1) and he said that his mount got a bump after a furlong.

Acting Stewards

L. McFerran, N.B. Wachman, Ms M. Cosgrave, J. Hunt, M.F. O’Donoghue

Horse To Follow

FROM GLEN TO GLEN (A. Oliver) He made a nice beginning to his career when fifth behind the potentially smart Kafu.