Left to right, Gold Patrol and Mikey Fogarty, with Sean Flanagan and Don Vincenzo© Photo Healy Racing
Colin Bowe sent out the one-two in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Downpatrick, but not in the order many expected.< Gold Patrol was always prominent but looked booked for second when stable companion Don Vincenzo took the lead off him approaching the last.
The 6-1 shot fought gamely under Mikey Fogarty, though, and got back up to prevail by a length and a quarter.< Sister Annie sprung a 20-1 surprise in the Strictly For Beginners Chase.
There were plenty in with chances jumping the last, with John Cullen's mare fighting from the front, and she battled well to see off Drumheart by a head.< Tigroney (4-1) stuck to her guns really well to hold off the challengers in the Kingsland Maiden Hurdle.
As the only previous winner under Rules in the line-up, Liz Doyle's bumper scorer had to concede weight all round and she did it the hard way, making her own running before repelling the late thrust of market leader Barrack Street by a length.
The application of a hood did the trick for Dancing Meadows in the September Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off the 15-8 favourite after hitting the crossbar at Perth when last seen, Gordon Elliott's five-year-old moved up to dispute the lead with Rathmuck Native two out and was just ahead at the last en route to a nine-length victory.
The addition of headgear also had a positive effect on Killeen Elegance (8-1), who showed her appreciation for first-time blinkers to claim the Even More Strictly Handicap Chase.< Urban Dusk s last visit to Downpatrick resulted in her letting favourite-backers down, but she atoned with a resolute performance to land the Warm Welcome Handicap Hurdle at 8-1.
Favourite-backers rounded the day off with a winner courtesy of Whizzzey Rascal (7-4) in the Party After Racing INH Flat Race.
