Bridge Native enjoys Downpatrick test to win for in-form Love yard

The joint favourites filled the first and third positions in the Downpatrick Racecourse Virtual Best Dressed Lady Competition Handicap Chase as Bridge Native led them home under Conor Orr.

Coming here on the back of gold and bronze medals achieved at Tramore in July and August, Bridge Native added to the gains of Dot Love with 40/1 chance Gotthenod at Wexford on Saturday. Rocky Court and the winner’s fellow market-leader, Chief Of Police gave her most to do, but the likeable Stowaway mare was too good, by a length and three parts and four and a quarter lengths.

Assistant trainer Ciaran Murphy said: “She’s a specialist around those tight tracks — Tramore, here, even Kilbeggan now. She jumps so well and makes ground.

“She had something to aim at today which was lovely. They went a good gallop and her jumping got her into it at the top of the hill. I think now she likes something to aim at more than she used to.

“She is well able to carry that sort of weight around these sort of tracks now. She’s just such a good servant for the yard.

“We think she will be competitive on the Flat as well. We’ll have a go somewhere along the way and I’m sure she will mix it with fences, on the Flat and over hurdles with whatever we find suitable for her.

“We’ll try and finish out the summer with her and try and get another one out of her, and see what happens."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Arch Melody trained by J. Morrison was found to have blood at the nose post race, possibly as a result of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

(MG & EM)