THE Jubilee meeting at Down Royal last Friday night attracted a big attendance – although there were numerous withdrawals and jockeys unable to get to the course due to a major accident on the M50 in Dublin, which was subsequently closed to traffic.
Trainer Gordon Elliot was quickly off the mark when winning the opening mares hurdle with ‘Shesadream’ (11/2 to 9/1) overturning odds-on favourite ‘Anna Bunina’, which had attempted to make all and, despite rallying close to home, was readily denied.
Elliott said: “She doesn’t do anything fancy at home, but she was tough. It was a good performance again there today. She jumped the whole way, so we are delighted. She seems to like that ground, so we’ll have a look at the book and see where we go. At the moment, I think she is good enough to keep here (racing in Ireland). She’s progressive.”
Elliott quickly completed a double when favourite ‘Banks Boy’ landed the maiden hurdle, but had to fight off the challenge of the locally trained ‘Champ De Game’, which did not help himself when shying at the 150 yard marker. The pair were partnered by stable jockey, Jack Kennedy.
Elliott said: “He was unlucky not to win one day in Navan. He probably wants a bit further. Jack is riding very well and he is a big part of my team.”
The Elliott and Kennedy partnership completed a hat trick when ‘Bravo Team’ (5s to 7/2) proved the very easy winner of the featured handicap hurdle with only four finishing. ‘Favourite Guiri’, having always been handy, stayed on to fill second. The owners of the winner, Pioneer Racing (the team also having claimed the opener) were out in force with the syndicate comprising mostly Ulster members.
The Dermot McLaughlin trained ‘Dovlator’ (28s to 16/1), with Irish Grand National winning Paddy O’Hanlon in the saddle, appeared to sprout wings in the closing stages to win the handicap hurdle. Locally owned ‘Run For Pat’ attempted to make all, but ‘Bout Time Bobby’, having led three from home, made a very bad blunder at the second last and ‘Kelly’s Birr’ (10s to 7/2) appeared set for victory only for the winner to make up 12 lengths from the final flight to score.
The biggest field of the evening started in the Danny Boy Hurdle and a dozen runners held chances running downhill to the penultimate flight, but it was the Paul Flynn trained ‘The Grey Lad’ (8s to 9/4 favourite), with Gary Noonan aboard, that led at that stage and ran out a very clear cut victor.
Flynn said: “I think on his Naas run he was entitled to win it. I think he has improved from Naas and I gave the wrong instructions (to the jockey) in Fairyhouse. I’m just sorry for Barry Browne, who has done all the work with him, as he couldn’t be here today. He was in Tramore for his boss and he got a bad fall to top it off, I hope he’s okay. It was a low-grade win, but nice to get it. I thought he would win and he (Gary Noonan) gave him a great ride.”
Trainer Ross O’Sullivan sent out ‘Champella’ (6s to 100/30) to land the first of the bumpers for fillies in easy fashion, challenging late following being held up early by rider, Tom Harney.
The winning rider said: “Turning into the straight, I couldn’t believe how well I was going. She does (have some ability) and, to be fair to her, I wasn’t as happy as I was the last day throughout the race. She didn’t travel as sweet, but there was a little bit more argy-bargy and I don’t think she enjoyed it. She’s not all that big.”
Gordon Elliott made it four on the night, when ‘The Last Mardi’, with Harry Swan aboard, battled his way to the front in the straight to overhaul ‘Miss Fouurie’ in the finale.
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