Shunned by some as the type of venue for having a punt, the unique undulations of Downpatrick yesterday proved to be a happy hunting ground for students of the form-book as four market leaders obliged.
It is easy to see why punters had the better of the exchanges with no winner going off any longer than 5/1 and for followers of Arthur Moore, Charlie Swan, Conor O'Dwyer and David Casey it was a particularly good day as all four registered doubles.
Jaquouille, a drifting market leader (5/4 to 7/4) got the ball rolling for Moore and O'Dwyer when taking the long distance maiden hurdle.
The seasonal debutante kept on under pressure from the last to account for Monterey Bay by half a length and Moore now has a beginners chase at Down Royal on St Stephens Day in mind for the French-bred.
Friendly Conflict completed the brace in the handicap chase. Turning out quickly after a third placing at Punchestown on Sunday, the second favourite ran out nine lengths superior to another making a quick reappearance, Runaway Jake, a winner also on Sunday at Clonmel.
Indeed Moore and O'Dwyer were fancied to bring off a hat trick in the beginners chase. Represented here by Madonna Fan, a third win looked a distinct possibility three out but it was soon apparent that Contempo Suite would prove too strong.
David Casey, aboard Charlie Swan's runner, got some brilliant leaps out of his mount throughout this contest and the son of Lord Americo stayed on well from the last for a twenty length win over the 'jolly.'
Casey initiated his double in the handicap hurdle. Teaming up with Tom Taaffe, the Waterford pilot sent Good Bye Dolly into the lead travelling well before two out and went clear from the last to beat Gravy Train by seven lengths.
A gamble here on recent point-to-point winner, Meadowview Flyer (10/1 into 6/1), after being much longer in the morning, was doomed from some way out, that one eventually trailing in tenth.
Those who invested in a plunge in the opener however, never really had much cause for worry, as Macs Joy (7/4 to 1/1), justified the support in really good fashion.
A mistake at the last didn't make the slightest difference to Jessica Harrington's charge as he scooted to an emphatic twelve length victory under Barry Geraghty and the four-year-old is now likely to be stepped up in trip.
Another well-punted favourite to do the business was Never Compromise in the first divide of the hunters chase. Derek O'Connor's mount (5/4 to 4/5) made virtually all for an easy twenty length win.
Twice a winner 'between the flags' during the autumn campaign, Ted Walsh's former maiden racecourse performer is now likely to contest a similar event at Down Royal.
An injured thumb ruled Gordon Elliott out of taking the ride on 'Sneezy' Foster's Taurean Son in the second divide but Simon McGonagle proved an able deputy as he kept his mount going to come out best in a driving finish.
A good afternoon for punters was completed when Old Flame (9/4 to 7/4) made all in the bumper under Leonard Flynn and showed plenty of staying power to complete a double for Charlie Swan.
