Alterno © Photo Healy Racing
Alterno made it two wins from two visits to Downpatrick when claiming the Portman Dentalcare Handicap Hurdle on this afternoon's card.
Des McDonogh 's charge had run out a cosy winner over course and distance in late August and had been fourth in testing conditions at Gowran last time out.
He travelled stylishly to lead going to the final flight, under Ger Fox, and kept on well when asked for an effort on the run-in to post a length victory over Tranquil Magic Boudry was backed from 4/1 into 9/4 favourite on course to give Gordon Elliott a quick treble on the card but came under pressure before the last and could only finish fifth.
"He loved it there. The ground was too heavy in Gowran for him and he missed the third last which you can't do that there,” said McDonogh.
“In heavy ground he just didn't get back into it but he still ran a good race. It was a higher-rated race and they were 7lbs higher horses.
"He loves to be in charge and that boy gave him a super ride. He did everything he was told.
"I was confident. He likes it here and if you like it here you have a chance of going in again.
"If we get another race like that he could go for it but he could certainly jump a fence as well, he's a big horse. We wouldn't bother with very deep ground anymore.
"We let him off last winter and he went to Dundalk but he wasn't mad about Dundalk."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
