Luke Dempsey © Photo Healy Racing
Clonbury Bridge rewarded favourite backers in the beginners' chase at Downpatrick.
The 5/2 chance was always prominent over this extended two miles three furlongs trip and led on his won at the last.
He was ridden on the run-in by Luke Dempsey and kept on well to win by a length and a quarter from Winding River (5/1 from a morning price of 14/1). Aprils Joy was another four and a quarter lengths adrift in third at 11/4.
Trainer Philip Dempsey said: "He was a nice little horse and he got a hard fall in his first beginners' (chase) at Fairyhouse. He lost his way a bit.
"We got his wind and that done and he seems to have come back.
"He was a nice hurdle horse, so I'm delighted and we will probably mix it with hurdling too. He's probably a horse where the bigger fences might not suit him. He's not over big.
"We'll see what's around and what he gets, but we'll definitely look at the hurdles as well."
The Stewards interviewed Sam Ewing, rider of Winding River, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who felt that one of his strikes did not make contact with the horse. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Sam Ewing was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) (frequency) and having considered his record they suspended Sam Ewing for four racedays.
