SEVEN pound claimer Donagh Meyler continues to grab his share of the headlines and he rode his second winner this week when giving The Mooch a fine ride to win the Byerley Turk, Godolphin Arabian And Darley Arabian Handicap Chase.
On the Paul Nolan-trained second favourite The Mooch (5/2), the first time blinkered gelding in the colours of R.G English was sent off in front and looked to be collared approaching the second last as Ruby Walsh moved the favourite Old Castletown to challenge. He looked set for victory but Meyler did not panic and using his whip sparingly, The Mooch rallied as Old Castletown (13/8 favourite) could not find a way past despite Walsh’s driving. Meyler had also impressed on Tigroney from the front here at the September meeting.
The winner
Racing opened with a win for Walsh on the John Breslin-owned Sarwistan who held off the late effort of the favourite John Monash to win the opening All Things Byerley Maiden Hurdle at a sunny Downpatrick.
The Gordon Elliott-trained runner-up was sent off the well-backed 10/11 favourite but he again let supporters down. This was his fourth defeat as favourite having shown promise on his first few starts.
Sarwistan (6/1) was friendless in the market and was prominent in the early stages but he was soon settled behind the leaders and was third with a circuit to race.
He was pushed along by Walsh to challenge the leader Banker Burke before the last and ridden to lead, he found enough in the closing stages to hold off John Monash and Bryan Cooper by a neck.
The front duo went six lengths clear of Banker Burke (9/4) who was third under Conor Maxwell.
Trainer Tony Martin said afterwards: “Hopefully he will mix it on the flat and over hurdles. He could go to Dundalk. He’s a big raw horse who is only coming to himself.”
Mark McNiff’s Golan mare Urban Dusk (2/1) favourite battled on well under Derek Fox to get the better of the Shark Hanlon-trained Most Honourable and Rachael Blackmore in the Royal Charter Handicap Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs. She was adding to her course win from three weeks ago for her owners, the Sligo Racing Club. She may head to Britain for her next run.
Gordon Elliott, on his way to the US for the American Grand National, continued his good week for Gigginstown House Stud when even-money favourite Altiepix battled on well after being headed between the last two to break his maiden over hurdles in the two miles and six furlongs I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle. The French-bred is seen as a future chaser and scored by a length and a quarter.
Shark Hanlon made the long trip north worthwhile when Down Time (7/1), in the colours of Annette Mee rallied gamely up the inside for Brian Hayes to master One Fine Morning and Johnny Burke in the Celebrating 330 Years Later Handicap Chase. The 9/2 favourite Admiral Bob finished third.
The second had gone clear on the long run from the second last. The final fence was bypassed after Glaboystown Lady tried to refuse and fell dramatically on the first circuit with rider Johnny King being thrown off and knocking Shane Crimin off Paudi The Punter.
Gordon Elliot looked set for a double when Keith Donoghue got two fine leaps from Mustadrik over the last two fences in the Captain Byerley Beginners Chase. Clear off the final bend, and trading at 1.01 on Betfair, he began to tread water close home and Battling Boru (7/2) was driven on by Danny Mullins for his father Tony and owners, the Shoot A Hoop Syndicate, and got up to score by three lengths. The favourite Hurry Kitty took third.
After three third place finishes, the Des McDonogh-trained Concience (7/2) stayed on very well to take the concluding bumper under J.P. Dowling.
The mare was ridden to challenge the long-time leader Thinkininmysleep around two furlongs out and went clear for a four-length win in the colours of P.E. Newell as nothing else got into the race. Gordon Elliott’s short-priced favourite Faraway Mountain (6/5) was fourth.