MARK McDonagh put the cap on a memorable week when steering J.P. McManus’ Spades Are Trumps home in the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.

There was early drama in this extended three-and-a-half-mile handicap with six horses departing at the opening two fences, including 3/1 favourite Portstorm who was brought down at the first.

Spades Are Trumps skirted the trouble in rear of mid-division and began to make his move before the fourth last. He continued his progression to hit the front at the last and kept on strongly up the hill to post a six-length success at 5/1 for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

McDonagh said: “He just took to the course, he travelled well and enjoyed it.”

On winning the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Banbridge, he added: “There is not a single word that describes it. I’ve heard people call things indescribable and now it makes sense.

“Joseph O’Brien has been good to me, I’ve been with him since January. The experience I am getting in the yard and office is great.”

River faster

A gamble on I Don’t Get It was foiled by Winding River in the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

This contest was the subject of a ragged start which saw I Don’t Get It (morning price of 33/1 down to an SP of 6/1) race clear from flagfall. He was 20 lengths in front of Winding River at the halfway stage but saw his lead eroded two out.

Winding River got into full flow and caught him in the final 100 yards to score by three lengths at 9/1 under Barry Browne for the Keep The Faith Syndicate.

Trainer Oliver McKiernan said: “He did (relish the better ground) and Barry gave him a perfectly timed ride.

“He’s a difficult horse to handle and my head man Tiago had to go down to the start and control him to get him to start. He did a great job.

“He will probably head to Punchestown (for the final).”

All eight riders and starter Derek Cullen appeared before the stewards. Cullen said he asked the riders to take two turns before the start. The jockeys said that, as the speaker system was not working and there was a strong breeze, not all of them heard the instructions. The stewards held that a fair start had been affected and allowed the result to stand.

They also handed out a nine-day ban to Gearoid Brouder for excessive use of the whip on runner-up I Don’t Get It.

Coltor on song

Coltor was a well-supported 4/1 second favourite for the Toals Bookmakers Rated Hurdle. Dermot Weld’s Free Eagle gelding took over at the penultimate flight and hugged the rail as he drew three and a quarter lengths clear.

Jockey Darragh O’Keeffe secured the victory for owner Mischa Bucher and said: “He’s a horse that won the big amateur handicap in Galway so if he turned up in the same spirit, he was going to be hard to beat. He was also fifth in a Fred Winter. A smaller field as well probably suited him more. I’m delighted to ride a winner for Mr Weld, he thought he would run a big race.”

SIMON Torrens got on the board with Andys Flame (6/1) in the Tote Jackpot Is Back Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles. The pair came home best to collar Sight Nor Seen in the closing stages for owner Derek Kierans.

After the half-length success, trainer John McConnell said: “I love this place. Both Downpatrick and Down Royal are so well supported, it is great to come racing to both tracks.

“He ran a lovely race in a better race the last day. Better ground probably suited him. He is still learning, he is a big baby and took a long time to mature even though he had won his point-to-point. He’s a nice horse for the future.”

Eager Aoife

Howaya Aoife bounced back to form under Ricky Doyle in the WKD Handicap Chase. The 50/1 shot was stronger at the business end than Magic Sea and won going away by three lengths after catching him in the closing stages.

Gerard Keane trained the 11-year-old mare for Steven Vaughan and said: “They went hard in front and it probably suited her. She has been very disappointing. When we have run her left-handed she just hasn’t run well. Tracks like this suit her better. We tried the blinkers the last day and tried the cheekpieces today to see if it would make a difference.

“She is going to be covered now and we will race on for as long as we can. We hope being covered might sweeten her up as she is well enough handicapped.”

THERE was a thrilling finish to the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase and it was Michael’s Pick (8/1) who got the verdict by a short head for Ciaran Murphy.

Handy Headon had rallied to regain the lead in the final 100 yards but was nailed by Michael’s Pick who stormed home to grab the spoils on the line.

Owner Dot Love said: “He loves the top of the ground. He’s not as fast as he thinks he is but it helped him a lot today. Timmy (Love) gave him some ride and he is a great jumper. It is lovely to come out on the right side of a photograph, it has often been the other way.”

Jimmy gallops on

Muredach Kelly’s newcomer Sir Jimmy Mac routed the opposition off the front in the Cosy Roof (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race. The nicely backed 14/1 chance made all and cranked up the pressure on his toiling rivals in the final quarter of a mile.

Marie Laird’s six-year-old gelding sailed in by 24 lengths under Declan Lavery who said: “He was very good. It was all about keeping the head on him as he gets a bit hot and revved up. He’s some horse to gallop, he’s just relentless.

“He won a couple of schooling bumpers and he doesn’t stop galloping. If he keeps his head right, there is no reason why he wouldn’t have a big future.”