Desert flourishes late in last

Golden Desert relished the hill at Downpatrick when making a winning debut in the concluding bumper.

Mikey O'Connor 's mount had moved up to challenge front-runner Fairview Star with three furlongs to run but looked booked for second as the leader battled on.

Fairyview Star started to tire on the run-in, however, and David O'Brien's newcomer kept galloping to get to the front in the closing stages.

Fellow newcomer Brough Academy finished well up the rail, chasing home the winner by a length-and-a-half

The winner was well-backed, taken at 8/1 this morning and eventually going off 7/2 on course.

"I was expecting a big run and he has plenty of work done," said O'Brien afterwards.

"The owner has been very patient with him. He can be a bit excitable. He'll come on from that and could be better than a Downpatrick bumper winner.

"There are no immediate plans but he'll be out again soon."