The 'Sneezy' Foster-trained Buddy Rich stayed on strongly up the hill to get on top in the closing stages of the opening conditions hurdle at Downpatrick this afternoon. Gladiatorial took it up from 8/11 favourite Marajman after a couple of flights in the two-mile-one contest and proved a tough nut to crack at the head of affairs.

With the hotpot crying enough after a mistake at the final flight it was Buddy Rich who threw down the challenge to the front-runner on the run-in.

The pair came close for a stride and Buddy Rich got his head in front on the run to the post to record a hard fought length victory under Jordan Gainford.

Buddy Rich was following up on his maiden hurdle win at Kilbeggan in April.

Gainford said afterwards: "He's going the right way and stuck at it well. That's his ground and he's a summer jumper. I always felt I was getting there.

"It is lovely, safe ground out there."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)