Dunboyne wins Ulster National at Downpatrick

2 April 2025

THE weather was perfect on Sunday for the Randox Ulster National, the feature race of the first meeting of the year at Downpatrick Racecourse.

As usual, the race was run over three miles and four furlongs and the maximum 15 runners went to post.

Stormy Judge and Harry Sexton made most of the running, but over the final fence the battle was on between the narrow leader, Final Orders, ridden by Keith Donoghue, and Dunboyne, the mount of James Smith.

It was close all the way to the judge, but it was Dunboyne which got the narrow verdict. Back in third came Jumping Jet, last year’s winner.

The winner is trained in Meath by Ian Donoghoe, brother of Keith, and it was the biggest success to date for Smith, who has a good record at the track. SP: 15/2, 10/1, 11/1.

Not a bad day for the Donoghue family as Keith rode a double. His first success came in the second race of the day, the Billie and Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle, when Seskin Flash proved to be the smooth winner over the fast finishing Our Zebo, ridden by Alex Harvey for Draperstown trainer Noel Kelly. Cher Tara finished third, ahead of the always well placed Kalsman. SP: 5/2, 14/1, 4/1.

The winner was trained by Philip Dempsey, whose son, Luke, had a couple of rides at the meeting, prior to returning next Sunday to Australia, where he is now based.

Keith then took the Caherty Stables Beginners Chase on Ballysax Hank, trained by his boss, Gavin Cromwell, in Co Meath. Second past the judge was Heroes Rise under Sam Ewing, back in action following his Cheltenham injury. Step Out, trained at Larne by Stuart Crawford, was third. SP: 11/2, 2/1 fav, 7/1.

In the Download The Tote App Mares Handicap Hurdle, Lilian Bland and Ritchie Deegan made every post a winning one, staying on well to

beat Joueuse Royale and Darragh O’Keefe, with Joya Del Mar and Tyrone jockey Liam McKenna third.

The winner, a first at the track for owner/trainer Niall Hennessy, made the long journey from Waterford, but, as Hennessy said post race, it was worthwhile. SP: 4/1, 9/2, 12/1.

Front running tactics also paid off in the Grant Brothers Development Handicap Hurdle with young Paddy Hanlon making full use of a very ragged start to make all on A Mere Bagatelle, trained in Co Carlow by his father, Shark Hanlon.

Fool Me Once, owned by Newry’s Cathal McGovern, took second, with Chortal third. SP: 11/2, 4/1,fav, 6/1.

Favourite backers got off to a good start when Toad Hall ridden by Paul Townend for champion trainer Willie Mullins took the Pro Solar NI Maiden Hurdle in easy fashion from Quantum Quest and the Philip Polly-owned Game On. SP: 4/7, 9/2, 6/1.

Mullins proved to be the personality of the day. So many wanted to speak to him and also get their pictures taken.

The most exciting finish of the day came in the final race on the card, the Boardmills Sires Maiden Hunters Chase.

Kildare trainer Sony Carey saddled two runners, Cause for Comment, owned by Jackie Mullins and ridden by her son, Patrick, and his wife Mary Kilduff’s Asphalt Cowboy, ridden by Michael Sharpe.

Up front all the way, it looked like Cause for Comment would prevail as the runners raced to the post, but along the stand rail Paul Sharpe, despite a saddle that had slipped sideways, came with a fantastic run to snatch a dramatic victory. Last Round took third ahead of Toni Quail on Cosmic Blizzard.

For Sharpe, who has one point-to-point win to his credit, this was his first winner under rules and he actually came unseated after passing the post. SP: 4/1, 6/4 fav, 15/2.

While the course still has a parade ring announcer it now has Dave Keena interviewing winning connections after each race.

Jordan Canavan rode two more winners in the USA on Sunday and Paddy Turley and Deckie Lavery recorded a double at the point-to-point.

Sam Hamilton had his first ride for top trainer Edward O’Grady in a point-to-point on Sunday.

This Saturday it’s the Newry point-to-point at Taylorstown.

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