Joya Del Mar gains belated win for McLoughlin and Doyle Joya Del Mar opened her account at the 24th attempt when taking the Frank And Brian Fitzsimons Memorial Handicap Hurdle in very convincing fashion at Downpatrick. The eight-year-old mare, trained by Dermot McLoughlin for Tara Giles-Fahey and Irish National winning owner Sheila Mangan, put a few disappointing efforts this year behind her. Ricky Doyle sent the 12/1 chance past the front-running Bayonetta after two out and soon took control, staying on strongly on the run-in to beat that rival by 14 lengths. There was a major plunge on Scary Askari with quotes of 28/1 about an hour before the race hammered down to 11/4 favourite by the off. Those who supported the Sean McParlan-trained gelding each-way would have been relieved to see him get up close home to finish third. McLoughlin said, “She's a tricky customer. I thought she would win before now, to be honest. Plenty of ability and a nice mare. “She was in season here the last day, so we will put it down to that. “Coming down the weights and Ricky said she did things easily. Better ground and she jumped well, she enjoyed herself, and that is half the battle with these fillies. “She was tricky to get away at the start and different things, but she has plenty of ability. I think so (starting to put it together), about time now. “We are fond of Downpatrick; it has been lucky for me. I have good ground horses, so it is a big help.” Quotes by Michael Graham
