Third time lucky for Sir Ector at Down Royal

After finishing second over hurdles at Down Royal in May and June, Sir Ector made it third time lucky as he took the McCormack Potato Handicap Hurdle under Robbie Colgan.

The 5yo son of Dynaformer had since run twice on the level finishing third behind Captain Cee Bee at the Curragh before winning on his next start at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Having opened at 7/4 with Paddy Powers this morning he opened on track at just 5/4 and was backed further into his starting price of even money favourite.

Having raced prominently throughout he moved closer to the leaders after halfway.

He travelled strongly at the third last and soon led however he made a bad mistake at the second last and did well to survive.

He regained his composure quickly after that error and kept on well from before the last to score by an easy six lengths. Ancient Sands ran well to take second under Andrew McNamara for Joanna Morgan at 5/1 (backed from 9/1 this morning) while Mighty Whitey was a further seven and a half lengths back in third at 8/1 (14/1 this morning) for Noel Kelly and Derek Fox. Beausang completed the placings a further three lengths back in fourth at 12/1 under Shane Butler for Peter Fahey.

Winning trainer James Lambe said afterwards: "He was a little bit unlucky that he didn't draw on his last two hurdle outings.

"The application of blinkers helped him (wore them for the first time at Leopardstown on his last start).

"He'll run on the flat next. He is a big galloping horse and finished second at Longchamp to a horse that is now rated 116.

"He wouldn't want it any softer. I thought he had loads in the tank.

"He was very disappointing at first and a bit tricky after coming from France but he is coming on in small steps."

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)