Crosse doubles up at Down Royal on Polly Douglas

Polly Douglas brought up a Down Royal double for Nathan Crosse when she landed the apprentice handicap on the card.

The six-year-old mare was switched left and made good headway between horses to hit the front in the final 100 yards.

From there the 7/2 chance kept on well to score by half a length from 100/30 favourite Dapper Power Ty Rock Brandy completed the placings in third at 20/1.

Trainer Kieran Cotter said: "I saw him (Nathan Crosse) riding Willie's horse (Black Martini in the preceding race) and that's exactly how I wanted him to ride her.

"She was a little bit tapped for toe early on but she got a nice run through. She's hardy and takes a bit of driving.

"We are delighted. She has been a great servant and that's six races she has won now.

"That's her owner David Mooney's 25th winner in all and it is 25 years since he was here last with a winner.

"She is going to be covered next week by Buratino, so we are hoping that might knock another few pounds out of her.

"There's a (50-80) handicap in the Curragh and we will wait for that."

And on concentrating on speed horses, he said: "It's all speed, yes. I don't know whether it is by design or what but we do like speed. We train for speed and it is working for us, the yard is going well."