< Dirar landed the second victory of his career in commanding style in the Down District Council Race, the most valuable event on the Downpatrick card.

Michael Halford's three-year-old, running in the colours of the Aga Khan, was always in the first three and Rory Cleary committed him for home just after the half-mile pole.

The 13-8 favourite was travelling sweetly at that stage and never looked like being pulled back as he gradually stretched clear to win by four and a half lengths, with early leader Salesin battling on to reclaim second spot.< Green Mile got up close home in a driving finish to land the Heart Of Down (Ulster) Cesarewitch under a patient ride from Robbie Colgan.

Tony Martin's chaser was in rear for most of the way but crept closer into contention in the final half-mile and came to challenge just as Princess Nicole was beating off Market Watcher

Green Mile, the 4-1 market leader, had to pull out all the stops but finally asserted to win by a neck to give Colgan only his second winner on the Flat. Martin was securing his fourth win in the race since 2000.< Noble Crusader was sent off the 4-5 favourite for the Fran Murrin Memorial Maiden Hurdle but gave supporters a scare before winning.

Ruby Walsh's mount was always prominent and led at the second-last, but Skylancer looked to be going much the better as he came to throw down a challenge.

Walsh got to work on Dermot Weld's charge and the five-year-old galloped on strongly to score by three lengths from the staying-on Le Reveur as Skylancer found very little when required.

Walsh was out of luck in the Magners Cider Handicap Hurdle when favourite Conker Nails exited early on, paving the way for Spanish Parade to win on his handicap debut.

Tom Doyle slipped through on the rail to take the lead on the approach to the last and Eoin Griffin's charge (11-2) ran on well to beat Baguenaud by five lengths.

There was a fierce battle through the closing stages of the Newry Mares Maiden Hurdle before 25-1 shot Vivid Exposure came out on top.

The John

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