Dunboyne the Ulster National hero for Donoghue and Smith Dunboyne (15/2) is now two from two since joining Ian Donoghue after he captured the Randox Ulster National at a sun-kissed Downpatrick. Dunboyne with James Smith up had a battle with Final Orders and Keith Donoghue from the last fence in this extended three-and-half-mile-marathon, but rallied to regain the lead in the closing stages. They hit the line half a length up on Final Orders (10/1) with last year's winner Jumping Jet some 13 lengths back in third at 11/1. Donoghue said: "Keith hit the front (on Final Orders), but I knew he'd battle back. "Going out on the last lap, I was very confident. It was a long way to go, but his ears were pricked, he was happy and popping away. "We have bought plenty of cheap ones and low-grade ones, and a change of scenery has improved them. With a horse with a bit of ability, it is actually easy because you don't have to train them hard. He's not fully pipe-drilled there. He's a happy, fresh horse. "Ross (Donoghue) can take all the credit really - we call him the Head Lad, he is the boss. I was away last week on holidays with the kids and he trotted him around the roads and messed about with him. "He actually went to the Curragh the other day to lead Lisnamult Lad over the National fences. I was thinking was this a good or a bad idea as it might scare him . He was deadly and jumped two of them and Ross got off him and gave him a roll and picked grass in the Curragh. We didn't even gallop him. I was itching to give him a blow and it is hard not to do it. "We just took a chance and left him as fresh as we could and it worked thank God. "James comes into us plenty and is best friends with Ross, the two of them get into plenty of trouble together! In my eyes, bar Danny Gilligan, he is the best conditional in the country. He has such a good brain and he doesn't panic. "I have to thank Stephen O'Connor the owner. I've been at him a while to send me this horse. At least he did and it has worked out thank God."
