Hallinan off the mark on the racecourse proper

Brien Kane replaced Cathal Landers (stood down for the day after an earlier fall) and he supplied Sligo handler Michael Hallinan with a first racecourse success in the Frank Fitzsimons Memorial Handicap Chase at Downpatrick courtesy of 20/1 chance Doolough Lad

Weight seemed to tell in the latter stages of this near three miler, as Doolough Lad with nine stone thirteen on his back, bounded home to beat Wee Tiger and Peacocks Secret by two and a half lengths and a nose.

The latter had looked sure to score under Rachael Blackmore but was probably eventually found out by his eleven stone twelve impost.

He's Fresh Tornado gave Hallinan the last of his point-to-point successes at Loughrea in April 2017 and after this win he said: "We rode him for luck. I had him entered for Sligo and we were a day late so I said we would come here. 

"I was afraid the ground might be a bit too fast for him but he handled it very well. 

"He's a good staying horse. Hopefully he'll be out soon, we'll see how he is after the race. I don't see any cuts or scrapes on him and he seems fresh enough. We had plenty of work put into him."

(MG & EM)