Review DOWNPATRICK 26TH SEP

Karen Kenny had to endure a steward's enquiry before it was confirmed that she had partnered her first winner aboard the Peter Casey-trained Rockys Choice at Downpatrick on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old from Kerry got her mount up close home to deny May Tobin by a neck but veered across her rival passing the line.

'That's a relief,' said Kenny after emerging from the Steward's room. 'It's great to get a winner!'

Kieren O'Neill picked up a winning spare aboard Zaydar in the other apprentice handicap.

Paul Nolan's charge ran out a stylish winner, hitting the front over a furlong out and recording a cosy length-and-three-quarters margin over Dbest.

'He won well. He's a horse that's had a good few problems. He's had bad trouble with his feet and sinus problems. He has come good now though,' revealed Nolan.

'He won a maiden hurdle as a four-year-old at Tipperary but lost his way after that. He will go back over hurdles now as long as he stays sound while he also has options at Dundalk.'

Professor Muldoon found extra up the hill to lead close home in the opening maiden hurdle.

Liam Burke's seven-hour trip from Cork reaped dividends as the Broken Hearted gelding got up to beat Rossgavand by a length-and-a-half.

'He loves that ground. I was just hoping that he would be placed. He will go chasing next summer. He could go for another hurdle but we might not run him again this year,' said Burke.

Training honours on the day went to Ger O'Leary, who produced Jimmy Sailor form a 637-day absence to claim the handicap hurdle.

The gelding, who had suffered leg problems, sprung a 33/1 shock when getting up close home to get the better of Glorieux by a length-and-a-quarter.

Coolgreaney turned the 2m2f beginners chase into a procession, pulling clear before the fourth last for a facile 21-length success under Ruby Walsh.

'The combination of the fast ground and Ruby was a big help. We've always held her in high regard. She's a nice mare and hopefully we'll find a winners of one for her now,' said winning trainer Sean Treacy.

'The last time I was here I collapsed in the weigh room. They never found out what was wrong with me. I probably would have done the same today if that hadn't have won!'

The other beginners chase had plenty of action with four going at one fence. 25/1 shot Neds Grey avoided the trouble to land the spoils.

Eurotech stayed on well in the closing stages to prevail by four lengths from Makemtakeit in the handicap chase.