Jetson (right) and Jack Bene in action at Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
< Jetson got off the mark over fences at the third attempt with a pleasing victory in the Autumn Beginners Chase at Downpatrick.
Jessie Harrington's seven-year-old was Barry Geraghty's only mount of the day at the Northern Ireland track and punters took the hint, sending him off the 8-11 favourite.
Always prominent, Jetson's task was eased when Dont Back Down fell three out, and Geraghty was taking no chances on the run-in as he rousted him along to beat outsider Royal Sam by four and a half lengths.
Henry de Bromhead's Sizing Jo'burg made a winning debut over obstacles when getting the better of Willie Mullins' disappointing French import Sarabad in the Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle.
Sarabad, beaten favourite in his two Irish runs last season, was sent off the 2-1 market leader and led for most of the way, but found little when tackled by Andrew Lynch on Sizing Jo'burg (9-4), who won by nine and a half lengths.
There was a much more satisfying outcome for the Mullins team in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle when Inish Island (9-4) got off the mark on his first start for the yard.
Paul Townend sat second for most of the way and after leading on the run to the final flight, comfortably held favourite Torn Asunder by three and three-quarter lengths.
Eoin Doyle's Lookoutnow was sent off the 8-13 favourite for the Get Ready For Christmas Beginners Chase and gave supporters a scare as he had to battle to fend off the luckless Vapiano asserting late on under Mickey Butler to win by a length and a half.
The James Lambe-trained Yachvili (10-1) collared Rudigreen close home to take the Mobile Handicap Hurdle by half a length in the hands of Liam McKenna, who was recording his first victory.
Noel Meade's Curley Bill (2-1) produced a smart turn of foot in the final furlong under Nina Carberry to win the November Flat Race by six lengths.
