VERY wet conditions at Downpatrick last night failed to deter punters and the opening race saw Gordon Elliott maintain his great record at the venue as Ibsen tasted success.
The eventual winner and runnerup, Unic De Bersy, were always at the head of things and drew clear in the closing stages before the favourite asserted at the final flight under Kevin Sexton. "He jumped great and we fancied him today," said Sexton. "It was nice to see the rain come.
I had plenty of horse under me."
A trio of horses jumped the final flight together in the mares' hurdle, with Noel Meade's Josephine Marcus keeping on best to get the better of Feel The Air and Catimini under claiming jockey Ger Fox. "She jumped very well and I had to keep her covered," said Fox. "She probably would have won in Limerick but she got pushed a bit and took the easy way out." Redclue, with Danny Mullins, was a 20-length winner of the handicap hurdle on his debut for new trainer Gillian Callaghan, who was delighted with the run. "We probably have him six or seven weeks," she said. "He schooled well over hurdles. He's genuine and better ground would suit him better."
The Edward O'Grady-trained and JP Mc Manus owned Getting Late ran out the very easy winner of the maiden hurdle in the hands of top rider Mark Walsh, who was when injury prevented hiom from being crowned last season's champion jockey. "The last time he ran Alan Crowe said that he should step up in trip," said O'Grady.
The handicap chase produced a thrilling climax, with a photo finish providing winner number two of the night for Gordon Elliott, when Le Grand Chene scored by a head from favourite Halls Bridge.
* See results 67