Late surge sees Cozone record second Downpatrick success An easy winner over a longer trip at the track in March, the Matthew Smith-trained Cozone notched up his second Downpatrick success when taking the Randox Handicap Hurdle this afternoon. Again ridden by the trainer’s son James, the 3/1 favourite easily picked off Gavin Cromwell’s 7/2 shot Arcland on the uphill run to the line, scoring by four and a quarter lengths. The nine-year-old won over a trip just shy of two and three-quarter miles at the track previously and had little difficulty in winning over today’s distance of almost two and a quarter miles. The winning jockey commented: “He did it snug enough at the end. “For the first half mile, I was thinking he might want 2m6f, but they went a mad gallop and I knew it kind of wouldn't hold up. He kind of takes a bit to warm up, so I just let him go along and pop around behind them. “I was always confident I would get there. “Exactly (holding his form), and I was a little bit disappointed he didn't win in Limerick. It probably wasn't the worst race, the horse that was fifth (Embrace The Day) won two days later in Listowel.” Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
