Malbay Madness forges home well in the north Malbay Madness rang up his seventh career success in the Randox Rated Hurdle over an extended 2m1f at Downpatrick. The 2/1 shot tracked the leaders in third and improved to lead after the fifth flight. He was challenged by Chanceawetmorning before the last, however, the leader stayed on well up the hill for Paddy O'Hanlon to put two and a half lengths on Shinnhill (16/1). Dermot McLoughlin said: "I was a little bit disappointed in Bellewstown (eighth) because he was a bit keen. "I was glad Paddy went on with him there at halfway because if he gets to relax, he finishes out the trip, obviously, like any horse. Paddy said they were going slow at halfway, so he just decided to go on and inject a bit of pace. He knew he would stay well up the hill, so it worked out well. "It was a good run in Bellewstown and obviously the race did work out very well (winner Putapouninthejar followed up in the Galway Hurdle). "He does it like here and his other wins were in Kilbeggan - something similar, right-handed. "We'll see what is there next for him. We'll see what the handicapper does and freshen him up." This was Malbay Madness' second win at Downpatrick to go with three in Kilbeggan and a win apiece in Galway and Killarney.
