GORDON Elliott and Davy Russell were the pair to follow in Downpatrick as they teamed up for a treble.
William B was very strong in the market for the Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle, on his first start for Elliott, and did it nicely by asserting after the second last.
The son of Yeats, owned by Philip Reynolds, was backed from 7/4 to 11/10 favourite and obliged by five and a half lengths in the hands of Russell. This was William B’s first career victory on his seventh outing.
Elliott’s was represented by his assistant trainer Ian Amond who said: “He’s been working well at home and we were expecting a good run. His form hadn’t been great but hopefully he can kick on for the summer.
“Maybe if he keeps improving he might end up at some of the better summer tracks. We’ll keep it simple for the time being. He’s a fine horse and hopefully he’ll pick up another one or two.”
Station Closed (7/2) confirmed her fondness for northern trips in the Balloo Vets Handicap Hurdle. The nine-year-old mare won for the third time in her last four races – twice at Downpatrick and once in Down Royal.
Russell steered her into contention approaching the penultimate hurdle and she delivered her challenge racing to the last. The lead was grabbed over a furlong from home and she kept on well to score by seven lengths.
Amond said: “She has obviously improved for the good ground and step up in trip, she has turned inside out. Hopefully there might be another one in her somewhere. She’s more than paying her way anyway.
“The Gordon Elliott Racing Club are lucky that the few horses they have on the go lately are all running well. If she keeps winning here she’ll stay here. Maybe later on in the year she might go back to England.”
BRILLIANT RUSSELL
Cecil Corbett (11/4 favourite) took over from Garrai Phaidin on the run-in of the Style Sunday Spectacular Handicap Chase and was all out to keep him at bay by a neck for owner Liam Clancy.
Afterwards, Amond was full of praise for Russell’s patience as he said: “When you are riding like that you can’t beat him! It was a peach of a ride. I was down at the last and he was parked up waiting.
“Myself and Davy were a bit worried about the trip. Gordon was saying to just leave him as late as he could and that’s what he did. He said to wait until the last and he waited until after the last. It’s a good day’s work.”
The four-timer was foiled in the Molson Coors (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race as 10/1 shot Scotch Beg kept pulling out more to beat Elliott’s 2/5 favourite Its All Guesswork by half a length.
Winning trainer Andrew Oliver said: “That’s the first time I’ve met Helen (Mooney) but she gave her a super ride. She was spot on where she was supposed to be.
“Scotch Beg ran well at Clonmel and didn’t really find. Apparently there was a lot of rain which I would say maybe deadened her pace. She likes the good ground and travelled sweet as a nut (today).
“She is a very honest mare owned by people (Bill MacKenzie and family) who have been great supporters of mine this year or so with this mare. It means an awful lot to them so I’m delighted.”
“Downpatrick has been very lucky for me. We have won bumpers here before.”
Arbor Des Champs (13/8 favourite) was in a different league to her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The six-year-old, representing Emmet Mullins, was less than fluent two out but stretched clear for David Mullins to win easily by 19 lengths for Frank Doyle.
David Mullins said: “She could have been tidier with a few jumps. She travels well and she’ll get blacktype somewhere along the line. She’s a lovely big mare and she might even jump a fence.
“The ground is beautiful, it nearly always is up here. They do a great job.”
Noel Meade’s Jack Slade was a beaten favourite at Downpatrick in May but he made up for that by romping home by 14 lengths in the Molson Coors Beginners Chase over an extended two miles, seven furlongs for the No Rush Man Syndicate. The odds of reward were a more generous 6/1 on this occasion.
It wasn’t all plain sailing as jockey Sean Flanagan commented: “He did it well enough, he hasn’t exactly handled the track 100% but when he got to the bottom of the hill and he straightened up he raced to the top of the hill. He jumps great, he’s had the experience of one or two which is a big help.’’
LENNON WINNER
Co Down trainer Liam Lennon saddled his second Downpatrick winner in two days when I’m An Izz Wizz landed a gamble in the Hannontravel.ie Father’s Day Extravaganza Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old gelding was punted from 15/2 to 9/2 and battled well from the second last to prevail by a length under J.J. Slevin.
Owner John Turner, from Donaghcloney, said: “Two times ago we ran him in Fairyhouse and he burst. We ran him back here at the last meeting and he just wasn’t over it. We got him blood tested after and his heart checked and everything was wrong.
“He’s a top of the ground horse and today suited him and we had a fair idea he was spot on. We weren’t 100% sure if it wouldn’t be a bit sharp for him over two miles three. He’s a dual point-to-point winner over three miles.
“J.J. (Slevin) gave him a right ride and Liam (Lennon) told him exactly where he wanted to be. He had to be bang there as he doesn’t find off the bridle. He will keep battling though, he’s a very brave horse.
“The dam (Lovely Native) won here as well and we have her. We sent her to Len Lungo in Scotland and won there as well. She’s a nicely-bred mare. I trained her myself and made a mess of her!”
ACTING STEWARDS
B. Fitzsimmons, L. McFerran, R.W. Steele, B. Nicholl, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CONCIENCE (D. McDonogh) Dropping down the weights, she didn’t run badly when second to a heavily-backed favourite.