CARL Millar continued a fine season when teaming up with Gordon Elliott to win the featured Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase with Jumping Jet.

The 5/1 chance kept on best from the final fence to score by a length-and-a-half from favourite Ask Anything. Millar said: “Gordon has been absolutely brilliant to me, and has full faith in me and I have full faith in him. He has always said to me to put my head down, work hard and graft. He has shown me nothing but honesty.

“It means a lot and it is brilliant to get it. Garry Cribbin my agent has been a big help. I’m riding nice horses for good lads. I rode her cold for a mile and gave her every chance. Luckily, it paid off.”

Elliott added: “It is great to win it. Big thanks to Brian and Jayne McConnell (owners), they are with me since before I got a trainer’s licence, training point-to-pointers. It is great for Carl to win a big race like that. he wasted to do 10st and it made the difference.

“I thought the ground was too quick for her, but I said I’d roll the dice because it was a big race.”

Kennedy winner

Jockeys’ championship leader Jack Kennedy got the evening off to the perfect start when making all on Valsorpresa to win the opening Redweld Stables Maiden Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained 9/4 joint favourite, a full-brother to Grade 1 winner Presenting Percy, like the latter is also owned by Philip Reynolds.

Elliott later said of the four-and-three-quarter length winner: “He’s going to win plenty of races – he’s no Presenting Percy and he’s not the biggest in the world, but he’s going to win plenty of races. I’d say it is beautiful ground as it always is in Downpatrick.

“All credit to Downpatrick, every time you come into the racecourse, there is something new. New vets’ box, new stable yard, new trotting up area. I think a lot of racecourses could take a leaf out of their book.”

Smiths seal a double

JAMES Smith, who enjoyed a fruitful winter in Britain with trainer Jonjo O’Neill, made an early impact on his return home when riding a double at Downpatrick on Friday evening.

The first of those came for his uncle Kevin (Smith) aboard the well supported Son Of Hypnos (33/1 to 12/1) in the Boardsmill Sires Handicap Chase.

Also owned by the winning trainer, the seven-year-old led at the last before going clear for a six-and-a-half length success. Kevin Smith said: “We waited for the better ground. It worked out well and it’s great for James – he is back from England, so it is nice for him to get back with a winner.

“Onwards and upwards with him the way he has handled the ground I had nothing planned beyond today.”

Smith completed his brace in the finale when Another Choice landed the WKD Beginners Chase by a neck from Duffle Coat.

The 5/1 winner, who was trained by the jockey’s father Matthew, carried the colours of owner Michael Hannon. Matthew Smith said: “He jumped very well and I’m happy with him. I was very happy with his work recently.

“He ran in Gowran a while back and the ground was too wet. The one thing I was happy with that day was that he settled. He has a tendency to get very lit up and very keen and hang. He’s quirky.

“I thought on his best form he’d have a chance. He won a maiden hurdle up here and he won a bumper (at Cork), so he’s not a bad horse.

“I’m delighted for James. He did seven months over with Jonjo and he loved it. He said he would come back for the summer with the option of going back next winter if he wants. He’s a good lad and he works hard.”

Razdan rules for the Royal’s Racing

DUAL flat winner Razdan opened his account over jumps when taking the Billie & Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Maiden Hurdle under Kieren Buckley.

The 11/4 chance, owned by the Royal Racing Club, had to wait for a gap on the rail before quickening up to score by two lengths.

Trainer Chris Timmons reported post-race: “Kieren is a very good rider (substituted for Keith Donoghue), he has ridden a couple for us before and has got a great pair of hands.

“He has a gear so, if there was half a gap, he was going to take it. He is a very talented horse, he’s a bit of a character. He got injured last year, so that kind of curtailed us. He ran very well in the Lincoln on ground that was probably too testing for him.

“He’s a good fun horse for the club. He just wants reasonably nice ground. I think there is a good handicap on the flat in him.”

First winner

Ross Tumilty had a night he will never forget when sending out his first winner under rules. Custers Mistake won for the first time in 35 starts when taking the Toals Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at odds of 14/1.

Owned by Brendan McNeill, the seven-year-old led after the last, going on to win by two and a half lengths.

Tumilty said: “I’m from Newry, Co Down. I keep the horses at Danescroft, just on the Sprucefield roundabout (outside Lisburn). I only have a point-to-pointer and a little mare and Custers Mistake. First winner, delighted. I work as a farrier as well. I was busy but then I rode out for people throughout the years and went on for my licence.

“Since then I have probably backed off the training. It is something I want to do more of but, at the same time, I don’t have enough to pay the bills. I can’t even describe it when I saw him getting up. Ronan McNally taught me quite a lot. Whenever you train on your own, it is a different buzz.”

Winters rewarded

Kilbrin Rocco caused a 40/1 upset when winning the Grant Bros Developments Handicap Hurdle for Michael Winters.

Unplaced on his previous four starts, the Jim Curtin-owned gelding appreciated the step up in distance as he prevailed by two and a half lengths.

The winning trainer said: “I’d say he maybe struggled on the ground. He did have a good run in Thurles and we were happy with him there. He was disappointing in Limerick, he was like a plough horse as he kept going but there was no extra gear. We thought the change of ground would give him a chance today..

“We love it here, it is fantastic - even the craic in the hotel over the road. It takes six hours to come up and €300 in diesel.