Grand National winning jockey Niall Madden bridged a gap of 12 years between winners for trainer Dermot Weld when steering Sir Raston to win the opening September Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

Madden delivered the flat winner with a well timed challenge to lead on the run-in and the pair then scored a two lengths win over Field Robin

Following the race, Madden revealed “that's my second winner for Dermot Weld, I rode a winner for him as an amateur a good few years ago on a horse called Orpington in an amateur race in Galway [in July 2004].

"He jumped well today and was unlucky the last day in Kilbeggan when he was brought down on the flat. Everything worked out well today, he travelled well and picked up. I just didn't want to be in front too long on him. as it’s a long ways up that hill after the last.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham