Riverside City is the Ulster National hero After his one, two in the 2.40, Gordon Elliott struck for the big prize at Downpatrick, when the J P McManus colours were carried to victory for the second time on the day, in the Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National E.B.F. Handicap Chase, courtesy of Riverside City. Davy Condon had ridden Elliott's earlier scorer, Knight's Parade, and he crossed the line in front for the first-time in the famous green and gold in the feature, silks that had earlier been to the fore with Salsa Sensation in the opener. Nine to one shot Riverside City got a patient ride from off the pace, and he launched his bid on the outer at the second last. Another combination that had adopted the waiting approach, top-weight Man With Van, and Andrew Lynch, looked like they might gain the day when coming through to take over on the inner at the final fence. However Condon got a tremendous response from his mount up the hill, and they got there to see off Man With Van (representing last year's winning trainer Stuart Crawford) by just a head. Condon revealed: "That's my first winner for JP and we said we would hunt away the first two circuits. I had plenty of horse left but he was slow at the second last. He got a good jump at the last though. The horse dug deep." "Davy gave him a great ride. I was very worried about the trip and Davy rode him accordingly. He said he jumped a bit left over the last two. We'll look at a stayers race in Punchestown," said Elliott. P. Townend, rider of More Madness trained by Terence O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined More Madness, trained by Terence O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be Post Race Normal. (MG & EM)
