The Joseph O'Brien-trained Downdraft lunged late to land the spoils in the Royal County Handicap at Navan this afternoon. The King hit the front over two furlongs from home in the ten furlong contest and looked to have his rivals on the stretch passing the furlong marker.

Downdraft stuck on well, under Shane Foley, though and put his head in front close home to secure a neck success.

The 3/1 favourite had run well to chase home Full Moon in a conditions event at Dundalk in April having won on the all-weather the previous month.

Foley said:- “It was his first start on turf and the step up to a mile and a quarter suited him. Colm’s lad (The King) picked up but my lad ground it out well. He had some nice form on the all-weather.

“It was his first run for a while and I thought Colm had stolen a march on me. They went a good even gallop the whole way and you have to stay at Navan.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)