Hereditary Rule has proved a fine servant to the John McConnell yard this year and brought his tally to four wins in the space of five months when landing the C R Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.

The seven-year-olds previous victories have been gained over fences and he took advantage of a much lower mark reverting to the smaller obstacles. Ballinlough Gale made a bold bid from the front and still held a slight advantage over the last before Hereditary Rule (100/30) was galvanised to challenge on the run-in.

Tommy Reilly’s mount got on top in the final 100 yards, with Diamondinthemud finishing best of all to get up for the runner-up spot a length and three-quarters adrift.

Ballinlough Gale was a neck back in third.

McConnell said, "He is a super horse and obviously he is a lot lower rated over hurdles. He is probably not as good. He is such a good jumper of fences, that is why he wins his races.

"I think we have probably been stretching him trip-wise as well. I thought coming back to this trip he would have a good chance.

"It was a competitive little race and Tommy did what he was told, he held on to him for as long as possible.

"He has got a cut on his near fore. It will be fine but it might just hold us up as were going to go to Cheltenham in October for a novice chase, but we'll see. If we don't go in October, we might go in November.

"I think so, yes (more chasing than hurdling going forward) - he is a novice and we can have a bit of fun with him. Probably 2m4f is his trip over fences. Hopefully we will get him to Cheltenham either in October or November. The lads want a bit of craic at some of the nice meetings.

"He could be a horse for the Topham with his jumping and his rating, he is 140-odd over fences now. We don't have too many options anyway, he'll certainly jump well and the ground is normally okay then. It is just something we are thinking about."

Quotes by Michael Graham