NIBBLERS Charm took some time to get things together over hurdles but he looks to have really found his stride lately and there could even be more to come from Ray Hackett’s charge on the evidence of his victory in the JNwine.com Downpatrick RDA Rated Novice Hurdle.

A winner of a Cork handicap hurdle last month before then taking second at Ballinrobe several weeks later, the Donie McInerney-ridden six-year-old relished the step up to two miles five furlongs in first-time cheek pieces.

Three Is Company and Boro Tari were duelling for victory coming to the last but neither could muster any response as the 108-rated Nibblers Charm (7/2) swept past to score by seven and a half lengths. Hackett’s first winner at the track could easily progress further when he moves up to three miles.

Long trek

James Dullea made the long trek from Bandon to Downpatrick a worthwhile one as Mohart struck at 14/1 the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for horses rated 102 or less. A winner over hurdles last year the seven-year-old had only recently returned from 12 months off but he showed that he retains all his ability here. After leading at the second last the Philip Enright-ridden and Catriona O’Donovan-owned gelding almost paid the price for too big a jump at the last but he soon righted himself to prevail by six and a half lengths. The 6/4 favourite Scotch Quay parted company with his rider at the first.

There was a further reversal for punters in the Down Royal Corporation Of Horse Breeders Flat Race where the odds-on Shaws Bridge had to settle for third behind the front running Tecumseh Sherman (7/2). The Pat Martin-trained and Declan Lavery-ridden seven-year-old, who had filled the runner-up spot in two of his three previous bumper runs, produced a nice display to account for Arakan Quest with the front pair finishing well clear of Shaws Bridge. The winner is owned by his breeder Eamonn Duignan.

Punters enjoyed better luck when Global Racing (6/4) bagged the 0-109 rated Down Royal Corporation Handicap Chase for Gavin Cromwell and Jonathan Moore. There was some drama in the closing stages as Tara Mia parted company with Donagh Meyler after the second last – as a result of a slipped saddle - when still leading

However, she may well have struggled to contain the Michael Brazil-owned Global Racing who was poised in a close second at the time and went on to score by five and a half lengths. This was a third win from 14 starts this year for Global Racing and he has only finished outside the first five once in 2019.