Keane/Flanagan combine for 2nd win in 4 days

Trainer Ger Keane recorded his second winner in four days when Aurora's Dream ridden by Mark Flanagan, gained her own first career success in the downpatrickracecourse.co.uk Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

Keane and Flanagan were successful at Sligo on Thursday with Effernock Lad and today Aurora’s Dream, a six year old daughter of Kutub, raced prominently throughout before recording a two and three parts of a length win over Maighnealta

Keane later stated “she was running a bit in snatches - it’s not that she is ungenuine but I thought the blinkers might do her a bit of good. Mark (Flanagan) said the blinkers have done a right job on her, there was more concentration and she's a different mare altogether.

“She loves that nice ground but she wouldn't want it firm. She ran a good race here the last day in a maiden and was well handicapped. She is improving all the time and last year she was very backward - she'll win more.

"The owner, Brendan Harmon, is an oil man from Kinnegad."

Seven to four favourite Mr Smith had formed part of trainer Charles Byrnes’ famous treble at Roscommon on Monday but could only manage fifth today, having seen his chance evaporate with a blunder at the final flight while chasing the leaders in third.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham