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Driveonwill lands second Downpatrick win for O'Sullivan & Meyler

Driveonwill and Donagh Meyler (right) challenge eventual second Kalsman at the final fenceDriveonwill and Donagh Meyler (right) challenge eventual second Kalsman at the final fence
© Healy Racing Photos

Carrying top-weight of 12 stone, Driveonwill took the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.

With Donagh Meyler in the saddle, the Kiltale Racing Syndicate-owned 9/1 chance got the better of the Liam Lennon-trained 12/1 shot Kalsman on the uphill run to the finish to win by two and a quarter lengths.

The six-year-old had won his beginners' chase over the same course and distance back in May.

Winning trainer Ross O'Sullivan said "He was unlucky here at Downpatrick before Galway.

"Donagh couldn't get over how well he travelled today. He gets on very well with the horse and I'm delighted for him as well. We have been hitting the crossbar the last couple of weeks and a few near misses, so it was lovely for us.

"He's a lovely horse and I'm delighted for the people that own him, they are from Meath, and Paul Garvey would be the head of the syndicate. He would be a friend of ours and he actually built our house.

"I'd say definitely (look to come back to Downpatrick), because he could nearly have three won here (unseated in June). Obviously, horses for courses. We'll have to come back here again.

"He's a good, honest horse. I thought with the weight, giving a stone to the favourite, that it might catch him out, but Donagh said he felt great and he loved the ground."

About Shane Redmond
Shane joined Irish Racing Services in 1991 and has been involved in the horse racing industry in Ireland ever since. He worked as a racing reporter, probable SP compiler and SP reporter with Racing Services for 12 years before spending over 22 years with Horse Racing Ireland where his roles included editing the Irish Form Book between 2003 and 2014.