Soldiers concludes Downpatrick action with a bang

The action at Downpatrick concluded with a bang as Soldiers Hill impressed in the Hannontravel.com Most Stylish Hat & Accessories Competition Win A Trip To Rome INH Flat Race.

Jamie Codd rode this fellow for Gordon Elliott, and those that made him the 9/10 market-leader from 11/8, were on good terms with themselves as he careered away inside the last to beat Presenting Ana by twelve lengths.

There was a steward’s enquiry into the placings but the positions remained unaltered.

Fourth placer Duty Calls was checked in the closing stages and dropped to his eventual finishing spot.

"He is (a good prospect) and he's actually very nice. He's had two runs - he ran the first day in Ballinrobe and was just a little bit backward and that. He improved and got a little break and has improved from Galway," explained Codd. 

"From Galway his mind is switched on and he's a different horse at home.

"I don't know what he beat there but he has beaten them very impressively. He's going to make a real fun kind of spring/summer horse.

"He's still learning and is just a little bit mentally backward but he's one of Gordon's and they gallop for you."

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Autumn Berry ridden by Mr N. McParlan, placed third and Duty Calls, ridden by Mr L.J. McGuinness, placed fourth, where it appeared that Autumn Berry crossed in front of Duty Calls causing him to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.

(MG & EM)