THE final flat fixture of the year at Down Royal last Monday saw wins for two local trainers and, while chronologically we should start the other way around, we’re going to kick off with the Andy Oliver-trained Faro Island who, on his fourth start, landed the Pravha Handicap under Billy Lee.

Bred in England by the Cheveley Park Stud and a 35,000gns purchase by Oliver at the 2023 yearling sales at Tattersalls Newmarket, the three-year-old Ulysses gelding won in the colours of Jim Nicholson, who did so much to upgrade racing and the facilities at Down Royal in his 22 years as chairman and whose name of course graced the track’s Grade 1 chase for roughly 20 seasons.