Double delight for Casey again

DAVID CASEY continued in top form when sharing the riding honours with Conor O'Dwyer at Downpatrick yesterday.

Casey recorded his second double this week (having scored on Seaforde and The Galway Man at Clonmel on Monday) when partnering Good Bye Dolly and Contempo Suite to victory on a good day for punters.

Trainer Tom Taaffe, delayed en route to Downpatrick, arrived during the Carryduff Shopping Centre, just in time to see Casey easing Good Bye Dolly clear on the run-in to beat Gravy Train and Tara Hall.

And Casey followed-up when the Charlie Swan-trained Contempo Suite, cruising throughout, made it third-time-lucky over fences in the Downpatrick Beginners Chase, slamming favourite Madonna Fan.

Arthur Moore and Conor O'Dwyer also emerged with a double, thanks to the exploits of Jaquoille and Friendly Conflict.

Returning from a break of more than seven months, Jaquoille proved uneasy in the market for the INH Stallion Farms Maiden Hurdle but readily brushed aside the challenge of Monterey Bay to triumph in good style.

Jaquoille proved the first winner in the colours of ownerFrank Clarke since the ill-fated Well Ridden beat Ross Moff in the 2001 'Arkle' at Leopardstown.

And trainer Moore is likely to send Jaquoille to Down Royal for a novice hurdle on St.Stephen's Day before launching him over fences in the New Year.

Later, Friendly Conflict, which had run a good third to True Blue Victory at Punchestown on Sunday, completed the Moore/O'Dwyer double when battling hard to hold the renewed effort of longtime leader in the Mr. Boyd Memorial Handicap Chase. The Moscow Flyer combination of Jessica Harrington and Barry Geraghty struck in the opening Downpatrick Races Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle when well-backed favourite Macs Joy (7/4 - 1/1) powered clear to beat Top Ben handsomely by 12 lengths.

Trainer Charlie Swan completed a double when Old Flame (Leonard Flynn) made all in the bumper.