Andy Dufresne impressed in the Down Royal finale under Derek O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
There was a second J P McManus winner on this programme, and a brace also for successful handler Gordon Elliott, when Andy Dufresne (8/13 into 8/15) put in the performance of the afternoon in the concluding Make Your Best Bet With BetVictor's Betfinder INH Flat Race at Down Royal. Pack Your Bags won race two on the card for McManus, justifying a trip up from Kinsale for Robert Tyner under Philip Enright, whilst Elliott started the session in good fashion with Monatomic in the rated novice chase under Jack Kennedy.
Andy Dufresne was a point-to-point scorer at Borris in March when he represented Elliott's head girl Camilla Sharples.
The son of Doyen was then sold to McManus for 330,000 pounds and he couldn't have done any more on his racecourse debut.
Rider Derek O'Connor was blaming himself for letting the five-year-old "get a bit keen," which necessitated a front running approach.
His connections and supporters didn't have any worries afterwards though as Andy Dufresne travelled through the two miler like a good horse, easily accounting for Willie Mullins' Golden Spread by ten lengths.
"We think he's a nice horse, we always thought a lot of him," stated Elliott.
"We were waiting on a bit of rain for him.
"We think he's as nice as any bumper horse we've run all year. I'll have to speak to the owners to see about whether he goes to Cheltenham or where he goes."
(MG & EM)
