Magnetic Force bounces back to form

Magnetic Force sprang a 14/1 surprise as he took the 'Everyone Loves Downpatrick' Handicap Hurdle, under Andrew Lynch for Robbie Hennessy.

The six-year-old son of Verglas won over the course back in May of 2011, and he was recording his fourth career success this afternoon, having won at Bellewstown and Tramore since.

Without a win in fourteen starts, the grey gelding travelled best before the last, hitting the front soon after the final flight, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a quarter. Clondaw Warrior finished second at 12/1 under Brian Hayes for John Hanlon, while Schelm was two lengths back in third under Mark Walsh for Ronald O’Leary at 8/1. Good Decision was sent off the 7/2 favourite, but he could only manage sixth under Jody McGarvey for Christy Roche.

Robbie Hennessy said afterwards: "I fancied him. The last day he should have been second.

"All credit goes to my daughter Alison who is fourteen. She fusses over him and keeps him sweet, and he absolutely loves it. She said to me today that he would win.

"He is a quirky horse and this track suits him as it is up and down.

"The Round Table Syndicate own him and they all work in St James’s Hospital. Today is the first day they have missed him running."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham