Golden Firth best in Downpatrick opener

Chief Oscar gave the familiar Robert Donaldson colours a big success when triumphing here in the Ulster National in 2010 before unfortunately collapsing and dying. Well the red and white stripes were in the number one spot again at Downpatrick this afternoon after Kevin Sexton got Golden Firth home by a neck in the opening Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

The pace-setting first-time blinkered Drumgooland didn't help his rider, Liam McKenna, by hanging to his left. However he still looked like he had his rivals on the stretch over the final two.

At this stage the market-leaders The Crafty Butcher and Faanan Aldaar were coming with their bids.

The victorious Flemensfirth mare saw it only dourly close home to fend off Faanan Aldaar and The Crafty Butcher by a neck and three parts of a length.

The aforementioned Drumgooland had no more to give when it mattered most and he faded into fourth, a length and a half back.

Winning trainer Mervyn Torrens said: "She does prefer going left-handed but the better ground was a help. She just doesn't handle that bottomless ground that we've been getting.

"I put the blinkers on at Thurles last time to try and keep her from jumping left and it was better performance there.

"She is handicapped but this looked a good opportunity and we'll keep her on the go – she'll go back handicapping again." (MG & EM)