Fakir D'alene gets favourite backers off to winning start at Downpatrick With the Cullentra team very quiet on the winner’s front, some had reservations about favourite Fakir D’alene for the Toals Bookmakers Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick. He put aside those doubts with a stout staying performance. Jordan Gainford took the reins on the Bective Stud-owned point-to-point winner, and for an outfit synonymous with Downpatrick success the 6/4 shot beat Silvertown by three and three parts of a length. "The track wasn't probably ideal; it was a little bit sharp. He was flat out at the top of the hill and they went a good gallop. They quickened it early on, on probably ground that is a little bit deader than yesterday,” reported Gainford on Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster’s scorer. "In fairness, he did it well in the end and galloped and hit the line well. A bit more of a trip in time would probably be ideal." C.A. Landers, rider of Justwest trained by Gary McGill, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was hampered by the horse that slipped up. The Stewards enquired into the fall of Roman Dylan, ridden by L.A. McKenna in the early stages of this race. L. A. McKenna reported that his mount slipped up independently. Having considered the evidence and viewed a recording of the race, the Stewards noted the explanation offered. (MG & EM)
