Rise Of An Empire followed up on his course win a fortnight ago when dominating the opposition in Downpatrick's two mile six novice hurdle.

The 4/6 favourite was always to the fore under Bryan Cooper in the Gigginstown colours. He was headed briefly at the seventh after making a slight mistake but soon regained the lead and readily asserted before the second last.

Cooper was able to ease him down on the run-in to win by 16 lengths from John Monash (9/2).

Trainer Noel Meade said: "They kind of made the race for him too, it was for horses rated under 109 and he rated him 104 and the other lads are getting penalties. It was really made for him but he probably did improve a little bit with the run the last day. He just loves that good ground. The ground was a big factor.

"He's a big, big horse so maybe he's just only filling out. He was very close to being let go. Fair play to Eddie (O'Leary) the last day he ran real bad here, he said 'no, keep going with him. Give him another couple of tries'.

"He's going to go up a bit now. Bryan said not to delay too long over hurdles with him before going over fences. We'll see but I imagine he'll run in another novice hurdle."

Rise Of An Empire won an extended two mile five maiden hurdle here on May 6th.