Golden Sunset returned to form to win the Tote Supporting Downpatrick Racecourse Handicap Chase for trainer Niall Madden and jockey Simon Torrens.

The J P McManus-owned Presenting gelding left behind a poor effort at Leopardstown 20 days back, when a bad mistake at the ninth didn’t help.

Drying ground here was possibly an assistance, and Golden Sunset was back in the sort of order that saw him take Down Royal honours on January 28th.

Torrens sat mid-division on Golden Sunset, before making headway into fifth three out.

Ridden in second two out, the 11/2 scorer led at the last.

He was strongly pressed inside the final furlong, all out in the last strides to contain favourite, The Trigger by a head.

The Stewards requested a report from Niall Madden, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Golden Sunset (GB), placed first, as compared with its most recent run.

The trainer reported that other than this horse seemed to find the ground too quick at Leopardstown he couldn't offer an explanation for the return to form today.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

(MG & EM)