Send For Paddy shows his rivals the best way home at Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
Send For Paddy gave the locals some cheer at Downpatrick when making all under Danny Fitzsimmons for trainer Colin McBratney.
The 12-year-old had accumulated 10 wins point-to-pointing, but this was his first success ‘on the track’.
Fitzsimmons sent him into the lead at the seventh in this extended two mile five maiden hunters chase. The pair then forged clear and had a length and a half to spare over Schindler’s Rock, who stayed on well up the hill.
“I thought the better ground would help. He’s been point-to-pointing with his owner (Robert Armstrong),” Crossgar-based Colin McBratney said.
“He jumped well and travelled well. He’ll come back here in May for a hunters chase. We might contemplate a wee trip to Perth as he’s low in the handicap for chasing.”
Send For Paddy scored at 9/2. Schindler’s Rock was 12/1 while third place was taken by 9/4 shot Rollininthedeep a further 27 lengths away. By Design was sent off the uneasy 6/4 favourite (from an opening show of even money). He finished last of the five runners after putting in several slow jumps throughout which cost him many lengths. Writers Block fell at the fourth and Garde Fou was a non-runner due to the going.
