Malina Girl and Keith Donoghue (right) clear the final fence alongside My Design© Photo Healy Racing
Keith Donoghue gave Malina Girl a confident ride as the mare justified good support to land the featured Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick this afternoon.
The Malinas mare had been pulled up when last seen at Leopardstown in early February but attracted support today from 12/1 into 13/2.
Gavin Cromwell 's charge was settled in mid-division in the marathon three-and-a-half mile contest before taking closer order before the third last fence.
She travelled noticeably well coming down the hill and tackled long-time leader My Design over the second last.
Donoghue sent his mount for home up the hill and she galloped on strongly to take the lion's share of the €50,000 pot.
Cromwell was landing the race for the second year running, having struck with Spades Are Trumps 12 months ago. He said afterwards:-
"The owners (Colin and Jackie Russell) have literally just bought her last week. They haven't had horses with me before, they have horses with Jonjo O'Neill.
"I gave her a bit of a break and she has been flying at home. I thought she would run a big race here.
"It was (very smooth), she's a small little mare but jumps really well.
"I was happy enough that the step up in trip wouldn't be a problem to her. The fences are not that big around here, it is a summer track.
"She travelled very strongly for her first time over a trip like that. Keith saved plenty of ground around the inside as well. She did it quite well really.
"We won this last year and we were happy to keep the big trophy for a year on the mantelpiece. The kids were giving out that they wanted to keep it, so we will have it back!"
It was a double on the card for Donoghue and a treble for Cromwell. The pair had teamed up with Ella Law in the opener while Cromwell also struck with Soldaro in the preceding mares handicap hurdle.
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
