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- Down Time over turns favourite She Be Fine
Donal Murphy
Down Time over turns favourite She Be Fine
Down Time clears the last under Brian Hayes before going on to score in comfortable fashion
© Photo Healy Racing
Down Time over turned the hot pot She Be Fine as he ran out an easy winner of the Hurley Family Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Brian Hayes for John 'Shark' Hanlon.
The American bred four-year-old started off his career with Jamie Osbourne before being bought by Hanlon at the Doncaster Sales last August for £13,000.
His best effort since coming to Ireland came at Limerick in April where he finished just over eight lengths third to Sarah Battle in a three mile handicap hurdle.
He had his last two runs over fences at Punchestown and Ballinrobe, and reverting back to hurdles this evening he was sent off a 12/1 chance after opening at 16's on-course.
Settled in mid-division he improved to take closer order after the fourth last and he was soon pushed along to lead at three out.
He shook of the attentions of She Be Fine before the penultimate flight and he kept on well from there to score easily by twelve lengths at the line.
She Be Fine, who won her maiden hurdle at Wexford last Wednesday, had to settle for second under Sean McDermott for Gerard Mullins.
Available at 9/4 this morning she opened on-course at just 2/1 before going off the 13/8 clear favourite. Knowhentofoldem finished a further fourteen lengths back in third under Jonathan Burke for James Dullea at 33/1, while Jayo Time completed the placings three and a half lengths away in fourth under Davy Condon for Gillian Callaghan at 5/1.
John 'Shark' Hanlon said afterwards: "That was lovely, the good ground was a big thing for him.
"He is lazy and if Brian had let him drop out he would have dropped out. Cheekpieces were a big help and we will let him off for a while now as he is only four."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson