Hollow too strong for rivals in Downpatrick opener

Clondaw Hollow produced a fine round of jumping in front to claim the opening maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in good style.

The John McConnell-trained gelding took them along in the two-mile-two contest and had his rivals off the bridle after the second last flight.

Brian Hayes asked his mount to stretch away after the last and the 11/2 shot galloped on strongly up the hill to record a eight length success over Hurricane Georgie

Clondaw Hollow, a former point-to-point winner, was making his first outing over hurdles in over a year having been fourth on both previous outings over timber.

He had been campaigned on the Flat in the interim and made his return from a break at Roscommon a fortnight ago.

Having landed a treble at the last meeting here, McConnell quipped: "The best track in the country!"

"He had okay hurdle form last year and I thought he was a big price this morning at 7/1.

"He had a run back on the flat and he likes the kind of nice, good surface, it is important for him.

"He jumps very well. He's not short of pace and he won well. It is nice to get that anyway.

"We'll probably keep trying to find nice ground for him. Possibly Bellewstown next month but he is actually in the Ulster Cesarewitch on Friday (at Down Royal), it might be worth having a look at. I think he is around 61 on the flat.

"The owner is New York based and was actually here until Sunday. He'll be happy."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)