LITTLE Ginger took full advantage of what looked a golden opportunity in the two-mile-six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle for owner-breeder Frank Reynolds, trainer James Fahey and conditional jockeys’ championship leader Alan O’Sullivan. He was the first leg of a memorable double on the day for the owner’s black and white-starred silks.

A bumper winner, who was only beaten a length when second in a maiden hurdle on his previous course visit, the 4/7 favourite won more cosily than the margin of a length and a quarter suggests. He appeared to enjoy this longer trip than he’s ever tried before, which is hardly a shock given he’s a half-brother to Cork Grand National winner Dromore Lad.

“It wasn’t the strongest of contests and he had that bit of form,” said O’Sullivan, who was riding his first winner at the northern track.

“He had to do it the hard way which we weren’t planning on going out, but he did it well. Even with a sharp two-six around here, he probably wants more of a test. He’s a nice horse and he’s better than that, I would suggest as well.”

Galloping Getaway

It became an even better afternoon at the office for Reynolds when another of his string, Iamagetaway, ran out a ready winner of the McGrady Financial Services Beginners Chase over just shy of two and a half miles.

Making his first start since May, the nicely supported 3/1 favourite, ridden by Danny Mullins, was recording the second win of his career on stable debut for Ross Crawford. Having started life in point-to-points with Derek O’Connor, the seven-year-old has been a frequent enough stable switcher in his career, having gone from James Fahey to Aidan Howard, then back to James Fahey and onto Gordon Elliott before this clearcut chasing victory for a new yard.

Crawford said: “I thought he was fit and ready to go, I just didn’t know if he would be able to do it today or not. I thought maybe the first-time hood would help keep him relaxed, and it didn’t do any harm. Danny rode my first winner at Down Royal and I use him whenever I can.”

Know off the mark

Youknowme was another who fired a warning shot here last time and collected on Downpatrick’s final card of the season. Philip Rothwell’s five-year-old, owned by Thomas O’Toole, made it 11th time lucky when opening his account under Shane O’Callaghan in the Tennent’s NI Handicap Hurdle.

The application of blinkers last time (retained here) has brought out more in the 72-rated performer and he stuck to the task in solid fashion to win by two and three-quarters of a length at 5/1.

“He had a good run here the last day over two miles and a furlong,” said O’Callaghan.

“He was stepping up half a mile or more in distance and he was good and toughed it out well. He’s like that, he’s on and off [the bridle]. He’s a middle-of-the-road handicapper and he might win again. I think that’s my 12th winner this season.”

AN all-the-way success for the consistent Facile Ocean helped trainer Ciaran Murphy reach his best ever tally of winners for a calendar year in the Denis Macauley Memorial Novice Handicap Hurdle, ridden to victory by capable conditional Eoghan Finegan.

The outcome of this five-runner affair looked very much in the melting pot when Lygon Lad loomed large on the winner’s outer approaching the final flight, but owner Sheila Gavin’s Kilbeggan maiden hurdle winner got away by far the quicker and maintained crucial momentum.

He withheld a late rally from Tom Gibney’s Papagei to score by a length and a quarter as 2/1 joint-favourite. Facile Ocean previously raced for Sheila’s husband Liam Gavin, whose first anniversary since passing away last year will be remembered later this month.

Dot Love, representing the winning trainer, said: “He ran a genuine race and jumped well. It’s great for Sheila; I think ths horse will be a nice chaser too. He’s a lovely horse to deal with when he settles and today, he was so good. He is fit and well and beginning to calm down, having previously been more nervous.”

Murphy was recording his 21st winner of the year, having previously recorded 20 in 2025 and 10 in 2024.

Consistent agent

Jack Kennedy saved every inch of ground around the inside at Downpatrick when guiding 4/7 favourite Euro Agent to victory in the opening Randox Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles and a furlong.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old had his task made considerably easier when main market rival Marine Tycoon (sent off 4/1 from a morning price of 18/1) parted company with Dan King early and ran loose. Owner Ray Stokes’ recent Gowran third was rewarded for his consistency with a first hurdles success.

Speaking after a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over Orderly Conduct, Kennedy said: “The loose horse was lugging out a bit, but it was straightforward other than that. He was pretty quick at the last, he was very measured.”

Kennedy later missed two rides due to feeling unwell.

AFTER saddling three seconds, a third and a fourth from his previous five runners, Shark Hanlon received his due reward when Pahlavi doubled his career tally at the scene of his only previous success a year ago in the CM Precision Components Handicap Hurdle.

Conditional Harry Sexton’s 7lb claim came in handy, with the winning margin a length and a half over Noel Kelly’s well-backed 10/11 favourite Invincible Oscar. The Shark Hanlon Racing Club-owned nine-year-old returned at odds of 7/1.

“We’ve had a lot of placed horses in the last 10 or 12 weeks. The seconditis is unreal and the only answer is winners!” quipped Hanlon.

“This was my big syndicate and a lot of the people have left. In fairness, there’s about 20 people stayed in and they have been rewarded. He loves it here.

“He’s declared for Fairyhouse again tomorrow and he might end up there. Harry is riding very, very well.”

Leading trainer award

The final race of the year at Downpatrick, the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association Handicap Chase, served up by far the easiest winner of the day, as the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Schiehallion (SP 13/2) sauntered clear of his rivals under 7lb claimer Alix Balfe.

Fourth over the same course and distance three weeks earlier, owner Robbie Keane’s nine-year-old delivered the performance of his career to win at the 24th time of asking by 13 lengths, seeing off 100/30 favourite Mini Getaway in style.

McLoughlin was crowned leading trainer for the season at Downpatrick with seven winners and said: “He’s been consistent without winning up to now. He seems to like it around here.”