James gives Flanagan a brace

Sean Flanagan doubled his Downpatrick score when Rueben James made a winning racecourse debut in the Joe Rea Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

Flanagan's earlier winner was on the odds-on Mr Showtime for his boss Noel Meade in the opener.

Here aboard 9/1 shot Rueben James for Colin Bowe, Flanagan was never too far away on the winning point-to-pointer.

In the end the Gold Well gelding saw off Caerleon Kate by two lengths.

The Gordon Elliott trained joint favourites, Blue Empyrean and Polymath finished in the last two positions.

Flanagan reported: "He jumped well, he actually was a little bit green early. He travelled well enough at the top of the hill and got flat-footed a little bit and when I gave him a little nudge he actually took off.

"I was there a little bit soon but he stuck at it well the whole way to the line. 

"I spoke to the lads before and they said he struggled to stay in point-to-points but two miles five or two and a half is definitely his trip."

A.E. Lynch, rider of Scotch Beg trained by A. Oliver, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung right and caused interference on the downhill run when shying away from challengers on her outside possibly being influenced by the application of cheek pieces.

R.A. Doyle, rider of The Bay Birch trained by Francis J. Flood, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount met with interference on the downhill run when being accidentally tightened by Scotch Beg.

D.N. Russell, rider of Blue Empyrean, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was never on the bridle during this race.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Blue Empyrean, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.

B.J. Cooper, rider of Polymath, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled during this race and continuously hung to the right throughout.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Polymath, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.

(MG & EM)