Shrapnel enjoys Downpatrick assignment

It wasn't easy to foresee beforehand, if a track like Downpatrick would suit a horse like Shrapnel In the event the pair turned out to be a pretty good fit. The Gigginstown House Stud runner kept up Gordon Elliott’s sparkling run when landing the Toals Bookmakers Dial-A-Bet 90321721 Hurdle under Davy Russell.

The victorious Flemensfirth gelding led before the second last and he was ridden out up the run-in to beat his main market rival, Rattan (Ruby Walsh wasn't looking happy with a circuit to go) by six lengths.

Elliott said: "He's better on better ground. We might win a couple of similar conditions races with him.

"It might not have been the strongest race but he'll keep going now and probably jump a fence.

"We've had a great week and a great season.

"That's our 50th winner in Ireland and it'd be 51 if Bondage hadn't lost a race in Sligo.

"We've also had 17 cross-channel." (MG & EM)