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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

McNiff just loves Downpatrick!

Sun 26th Mar 2017, 18:08

Andratx and Andrew Ring in charge at DownpatrickAndratx and Andrew Ring in charge at Downpatrick
© Photo Healy Racing

Sligo trainer Mark McNiff has made a habit of winning the extended two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle at Downpatrick's opening meeting of the year and he enjoyed another victory with Andratx

The four-year-old gelding was the subject of a gamble from 25/1 in the morning to an SP of 7/1.

Andrew Ring sent him into the lead from flagfall and the pair moved clear after the second last. The bottom weight strode on to win by four lengths. Mister First (12/1) came home second, a length and a half in front of One Can Cally (8/1).

Mark McNiff said: "I've won this three years in a row and also won it a couple of years previous to that. He was in off a handy weight. He's a horse that would improve for a track like this; a small, nippy little horse.

"We were off nine stone seven so it wasn't hard to make all. It's a pity there's nothing for him next week. He'll probably come back here, he's a horse for here, Tramore or Sligo. He wouldn't be a horse for a galloping track."

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.