Two winners for Niall Madden at Downpatrick today© Photo Healy Racing
Niall Madden completed a quick fire double as he took the Keeping It Country Handicap Hurdle aboard the John Queally trained Namarama
The 6yo son of Bob Back raced in rear and on the outside throughout the contest.
He made headway from five out and disputed the lead, travelling well before the second last.
He was ridden clear at the last and he stayed on well to score by a convincing sixteen lengths at the odds of 6/1.
The double seeking pair of Mark McNiff and Derek Fox had to settle for second with High Talk (5/1) who had attempted to make all while Carheenlea finished two lengths back in third for Yvonne Dunleavy and Mark Walsh at 16/1. Street Runner was sent off the 4/1 favourite (high as 12/1 this morning) for trainer Karl Thornton but he could only manage fourth.
Drumlister was expected to go off the short priced favourite for the race but he was pulled out earlier in the day due to the change in ground conditions.
The winning owners, the Aintree Boys Syndicate are made up of seven people from Monaghan.
Terry Gilsenan, one of the syndicate members, said afterwards: "We were hoping for better ground but Slippers (Niall Madden) took him wide and gave him a lovely ride. He might go to Listowel now."
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
