Adrian Heskin and Lofgren© Photo Healy Racing
Gold Cup heroes Gordon Elliott and Bryan Cooper were expected to take the Visit Saint Patrick s Country Maiden Hurdle with Kashmiri Sunset However, in the Downpatrick opener he had to settle for third place behind Enda Bolger's Lofgren
Of course Bolger himself had a big day at Cheltenham on Friday with Foxhunters scorer, On The Fringe, and here Adrian Heskin was the man aboard 11/4 chance Lofgren.
Two to one on favourite Kashmiri Sunset tried to make all but he was headed two out, and in the end Lofgren proved five lengths superior to Dontbackme The 'jolly' was seven lengths off them in the bronze medal position.
Heskin said: "Coming from where he does he jumped well and stayed very well. He's a nice horse and is a chaser in the making."
Owner John Glews is from Shropshire in England and sponsors Donald McCain's yard. He also has horses with McCain and Gordon Elliott.
Here he was represented by friend Sean Byrne, who sourced Federici for the owner.
(MG & EM)