"He's a big horse and he goes around here - it's amazing," said Des McDonogh after his Shek O Lad (6/1 into 7/2) gained a second win over Downpatrick's two mile three furlong trip in the North Down Marquees Handicap Hurdle.

Shek O Lad was out quick after a Roscommon sixth placing from Tuesday night and here the joint top-weight fought off the other one at the top of the handicap, Pat's Pearl by two and a half lengths.

"You don't know until you run them whether they will handle it or not. I'm happy with that," elaborated McDonogh on Shek O Lad's (Ger Fox up) win.

"He ran in Roscommon the other day so I had to run him today because he won't be going to Galway or Killarney. 

"He might go to Ballinrobe, he has run well there before. His form this year is 422 (and 6). He ran a good race the other day in a very messy race in Roscommon. He was a little bit far back and could never get the ground back but he did run well. It probably put him right for today!"

(MG & EM)