DOWNPATRICK racecourse had to endure nearly two years of Covid-restricted meetings but that hasn’t affected their generous spirit and the track will be supporting the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal by holding a ‘significant auction of interesting items’ at the Randox Ulster National meeting next Sunday.

The auction will take place at 7pm in the Dunleath Hospitality Suite where attendees can bid in person, while, hopefully, others will be able to do so online. All proceeds will go to the charity and the track management has pledged to match the total amount raised.

Items which caught the eye were a morning at Willie Mullins’s Clonsutton Stables for four followed by lunch in the Lord Bagenal Inn; an overnight stay in the Minella Hotel for four plus a morning at Joseph O’Brien’s Carriganog Stables; a morning at Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House Stables; four hospitality tickets at Anfield to watch Liverpool v Manchester United. There is also a private tour, demonstration and lunch for six at Olympian Cian O’Connor’s Karlswood Stables. Keep an eye out for more lots in the coming days.

McKenna on the mark

WHILE we know James Lambe will have been pleased to see one of his former jockeys, Brian Hughes, continue to increase his already sizeable tally of winners this season with five in the period under review, he will have been even more delighted to watch his stepson, Liam McKenna, record his first victory of the campaign at Leopardstown on Monday.

Liam came in for the ride in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle on the Tony Martin-trained Golden Spear who belied his age to get up in the final strides of the two-mile contest and score by a head from Na Caith Tobac, a rare Dutch-bred runner in Ireland.

A most consistent sort, the 11-year-old Golden Spear last won at Down Royal in November 2018.

Ladbrokes properties

up for offer in Belfast

WE’VE another bit of bookmaker news this week with the announcement that the leasehold on 29 Ladbrokes properties in Northern Ireland, including 12 in Belfast, has gone on sale for £7.3m.

The properties – which have a gross rental income of £715,208 – are either wholly or partially leased by North West Bookmakers Limited, trading as Ladbrokes, and guaranteed by Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming Limited.

According to Gary McDonald, business editor of The Irish News, guaranteed rent increases with the Ladbrokes shop leases are subject to five-yearly upwards only rent reviews in February 2023 and 2028.