Bridgets Pet bounces back to his best

Bridgets Pet got back to winning ways as he took the East Down Beginners Chase under amateur rider John Fitzpatrick for Alan Fleming and owner Barry Connell.

The eight-year-old son of Arakan won two bumpers in 2011 before winning his maiden hurdle at Naas in February of the following year.

Having his sixth start over fences this afternoon he went off the 7/2 second favourite.

Settled towards rear he took closer order with a circuit to race. He was fourth after three out and came through to lead after the last, going on to score by a convincing eighteen lengths. Haddington Road was sent off the 5/2 favourite and he finished second under Andrew McNamara for Dot Love while Lord Of Isenay was a further seventeenth lengths back in third under Kevin Sexton for Eoin Griffin at 12/1. Officer Cadet (7/2) looked held in third when he fell at the last. His rider Bryan Cooper was stood down for the rest of the day with rib bruising.

Alan Fleming said afterwards: "He jumped great and I was quite impressed. I was doubly impressed with the jockey. He is with us a year and he could be different (class).

"This horse will go for a Galway handicap trial. There's one in Down Royal next weekend but he'll probably go for one after that."

Fitzpatrick (who is twenty-two) was recording his second track winner aboard the eight-year-old. His maiden success came aboard Court Frontier who won over the course in March.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham