Tornado Watch blows the bookies away

Tornado Watch landed a major punt in Downpatrick today as he comfortably took the extended two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle.

The seven-year-old son of Selkirk was having his first run for Co Wexford trainer Jonathan Fogarty and was punted from 25/1 to 7/4 before racing commenced in the north. His SP was returned at 13/8f (paid 9/2 on the Tote).

Mikey Fogarty moved him into third from the third last and the pair picked up the lead after the next. They kept on well up the run-in to deliver by seven lengths. Maighnealta came in second at 8/1 with Canny Tom third at 9/4.

Jonathan Fogarty was leading up the horse. Jockey Mikey Fogarty (brother of the trainer) said: "He did a couple of nice bits of work there and he (Jonathan) was hoping he would be placed.

"We rode him there to try and keep it simple. After his two -year-old won in Bellewstown he had a bit of confidence because he didn't know whether he was able to train for a while there!"