Downpatrick Review

Two horses travelled north to Downpatrick from Noel Meade's Castletown Navan-base today and the duo demonstrated the well-being of the string as they did what was expected of them for a near 11/1 double.

Chapeaux Bas, purchased from Andy Slattery after winning one point-to-point and finishing second in the other, to Ballyagran (now also a useful-member of the Tu Va stables team), made all in the maiden hurdle.

Scoring on his fifth attempt for Meade, the addition of blinkers has been crucial to the Denis O'Regan-ridden half length victor. He had previously disappointed on a couple of starts without the headgear.

Copper Moon completed the brace with a twenty five length rout of the opposition under Nina Carberry in the concluding bumper. This fellow carries the same colours as Arctic Copper, now point-to-pointing after a successful racetrack career. Owners, the Grand Alliance Racing Club has some prominent politicians amongst it's ranks.

Paul Nolan and Robbie Moran are another pair that can claim to be in-form at present and they combined to land the handicap hurdle with the well-backed, Earlyinthemorning.

This one chased the clear leader Max Scal, taking it up travelling well two out before going away for an easy twenty five length win. The favourite was justifying a five-hour trip from Enniscorthy.

Backers of the market-leader were also spot-on half-an-hour later as Joint Agreement won the beginners chase for Ted Walsh and Garrett Cotter. An ordinary horse winning an ordinary race was Walsh's appraisal of matters and handicapping will be the eight-year-old's future.

Punters weren't so fortunate in the second divide of the hunter chase though, 6/4 chance Stormy Tribunal being four lengths to the good at the last when falling.

Roger Loughran on Slow To Part took advantage, Michael Cunningham's charge coming out on top in a three way photo finish.

In the other divide, Larne, Co. Antrim car-dealer and trainer, Roy Wilson saddled his second winner under Rules courtesy of Savati in the hands of William Rankin.

Six foot one Rankin, an experienced rider ?between the flags,' led three out and the 6/1 shot galloped on well from the last to score by thirteen lengths.

The Duck in the opening handicap hurdle was another Northern-trained winner, making all for an all-out 33/1 shock under Niall Madden.

Madden was deputising for a sick Shane McGovern. The five-year-old son of Taipan is handled in Omagh by Mervyn Torrens.