Sphagnum scores again at Downpatrick

Sphagnum powered up the hill at Downpatrick to open his account over fences and record a second course victory.

The Shane Broderick-trained gelding had won over timber at the track last August and was stepping up considerably on his first two showings over fences today.

Dillon Maxwell held the 7/1 shot up behind the leaders before taking closer order at the third last in an eventual contest, over two-miles-seven.

Sphagnum jumped up to dispute at the penultimate fence and went on over the last to record a 10 length success over Some Dove

Maxwell said: "He finished it off fierce well.

"The plan was just to spin him around, he had a fall the last day at the last, and today the plan was just to get him around jumping safe and get him to finish his race.

"He did it well. He stood off the last long, but he finished it out well.

"He did jump well, but wasn't really liking the ground. I think they got a bit of rain here last night as they were turning it (ground) up well.

"I said I would switch him to the outside where it is probably a bit drier and it seemed to work out to his advantage. He'd like ground like the road.

"He seems to like this track a lot, he's well able for the hills."

7/4 favourite Run For Pat crashed out in the lead four from home while another of the market principals, 9/4 shot Magheralin Mick pulled up quickly going to the third last.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)