A day to remember for Kelly with Downpatrick brace

With his first track double Noel Kelly had an afternoon to remember at Downpatrick as replacement riders won on his charges, Bracka Lily and Canadian Steel

Conor Orr took the feature at Kilbeggan last evening on Just A Normal Day, but he was a no show here for his booked rides on Bracka Lily and Canadian Steel.

The stewards allowed Danny Mullins, Orr's replacement, put up 4Ibs over-weight on Bracka Lily in the Balloohire.com Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Kelly then had a 1-3 in the Hannontravel.com Ladies Upstyle Hair Competition Win A Trip to Costa Blanca Handicap Hurdle as Canadian Steel hacked up with stable companion Oscar Light back in the bronze medal position.

Jody McGarvey, originally 'jocked up' on Oscar Light, switched to replace Orr on Canadian Steel, with Niall Madden eventually riding the third placer.

Canadian Steel accounted for Ask Cory and Oscar Light by seven and a half lengths and five lengths.

Kelly said afterwards: "We'll have to go to Tramore on Thursday before the handicapper gets a hold of us now!

"He's improving all the time and he is going well. I still think he is a better horse over fences than over hurdles - he's a savage jumper over fences and travels that well over fences.

"I'll be in Spain on Thursday but I'll be able to watch it!

"It was the first time ever I had a double - I had a double one day with a point-to-point winner and a track winner but I never had a track double.

"You could take him further afield now, no problem. He's not sweating when he travels now. He's won enough prize money here we shouldn't be going over (the Irish Sea) for a while. It is working here so why break it!

"Down the line we wouldn't be afraid to go back over.

"That's the 15th winner of this season including point-to-points and normally if I get seven or eight I'd be happy, so it's the best season I've ever had."

The Stewards fined C.J. Orr, rider, €600 in accordance with Rule 196 (v), for failing to present himself at the racecourse necessitating changes of riders on Rising Race 3, trained by Noel C. Kelly, Bracka Lily, Race 4, trained by Noel C. Kelly, Howya Darlin Race 5, trained by Noel C. Kelly and Canadian Steel, Race 6, trained by Noel C. Kelly.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined My Peggy trained by Noel G. Hynds, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Bythesametoken trained by Ross O'Sullivan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Charlotte Wells trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount saddle slipped going to the first hurdle.

(MG & EM)