Torrens another at the double up north

On a day of doubles at Down Royal, jockey Simon Torrens was another to land a brace when Weihnachts (22/1) bounced back to form in the Switch Today At fibrus.com Handicap Chase.

The JP McManus-owned ten-year-old was waited with before improving on the approach to the straight and led before the last to beat Marronstown by three and three quarter lengths.

Torrens, whose first winner of the afternoon had been Dreal Deal has been on board Weihnachts for all four career wins.

Philip Rothwell said: "He's had bits of issues and little bits of problems since Christmas, but I just thought in the last couple of weeks he has come good.

"He has been trained predominantly from the paddock for the last few weeks and we were just saying coming in today that he was literally squealing. He was really, really well in himself.

"He has been downgraded and the step up in trip (helped).

"He has been a great horse for us, he has won a few over two miles and to see him win a 3m2f when he is getting a bit older is great.

"He's no superstar, but he has been great to me.

"I thought we were going to have another second for a while, I'm after having a lot of seconds since Christmas. We had a second earlier on today in the handicap hurdle (Plain Or Battered), but they are running really well and we have had a great season."

Quotes from Michael Graham