Day ends well for Brandy

Gabriel Brandy survived a blunder at the final flight to land the spoils in the opening maiden hurdle at Downpatrick.

Andrew Lynch gave the Urban Ocean gelding a patient ride on his hurdling debut, settling him out the back in the early stages.

He took closer order after the third last and launched his challenge going to the final flight.

A bad mistake there looked set to give 5/2 favourite Cloone Springs victory but Robbie Hennessy's gelding battled back well on the run-in to grab success in the closing stages.

The 10/3 winner (from 4/1) was making his debut over timber having been placed in a couple a good bumpers last season.

“He's quirky. The last day (well-beaten eighth at Fairyhouse) he got away on Jane Mangan,” revealed Hennessy.

“He wore ear plugs today. He hung badly and he also hung badly the last time but we dropped him in and the way the race was run suited.

“I'm delighted with him although he actually schooled this morning and gave Andrew a fall.”

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)