British Art leads over the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
British Art bounced back to form off the front in the Joe Rea Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.
Jockey Barry Browne dictated throughout the extended two and a quarter mile trip and took a couple lengths out of the pack after the second last.
His mount stayed on up the hill and had enough in the tank to score by half a length from a challenging Lusis Naturea (10/3). Greenandwhitearmy was a further seven lengths adrift in third at 14/1.
Trainer Keith Watson said of the 12/1 winner: "He's back to form - we had a season there of him out of form. We thought he was working well at home but he has done that before!
"Barry gave him a great ride, it was left up to himself how to handle him. He won on him before.
"You could see him everywhere, he can handle most grounds.
"He won twice in Newcastle and was placed in Dundalk. Dundalk then went too hard for him but it's an option."
The Stewards interviewed R. A. Doyle, rider of Greenandwhitearmy, trained by Neil McKnight, after they received a report from Mr. J. R. Banahan that R. A. Doyle had jumped off before reaching the marker poles. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that this was the case. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Stewards found R. A. Doyle in breach of Rule 208.(iii).(b), in that he had put his horse into a trot or canter with a view to taking any advantage before the race is started. Having considered R. A. Doyles record in this regard the Stewards suspended him for one race day.
