Windward Passage sails home in the north

Windward Passage showed his battling qualities in the extended mile and two handicap at Down Royal when forging home by two and a quarter lengths.

Although the 8/1 shot led early, he was headed two furlongs out. He rallied though to lead with a furlong to race and Fergal Lynch kept him up to his work in beating 6/4 favourite Spring Focus

The latter looked like he would pick up the spoils when he got to the front with a quarter of a mile to race, but he could make no impression at the business end. Crown Of Aragon (10/1) was half a length away in third.

Trainer Patrick Prendergast said: “He’s a good horse on fast ground and a bad horse on soft ground. We got caught out by the rain last time. He’s a brother of Universal and he’s similar enough; struggle to win as a two-year-old then start winning as a three-year-old in handicaps and keep going. Hopefully he will keep going as he’s still a bit weak.”