Downpatrick Racecourse sees doubles for Harvey, Hanlon and Elliott

Racing at Downpatrick served up a whole host of doubles on Monday afternoon, with jockeys Alex Harvey and Paddy Hanlon, alongside trainers Shark Hanlon and Gordon Elliott all celebrating a pair of winners each.

Read on for a full report of the Downpatrick card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds. 

Camlin Park rides well clear with jockey Alex Harvey of the pack to win the opener in Downpatrick. (Photos by Jim Masson/DownNews©)

The first race, a two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle (1.58), saw the first of Alex Harvey’s winners come home. John McConnell’s 11/1 shot Camlin Park jumped the last with plenty still left in the tank and she shot 12 lengths into the lead, soundly beating favourite Front Door Famous, who finished third, behind 7/1 shot Lightning Legs. 

Next was a handicap hurdle over the same trip (2.33). We saw the first leg of a double for father-son trainer-jockey combination Shark and Paddy Hanlon here, with 15/2 Pahlavi finishing very strongly from behind the leading pair to win by just a head.

Pahalvi clears the last with Paddy Hanlon in the saddle to win the Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle.

He edged in front of Adrian Murray’s 8/1 Silent Dawn and the market leader, 6/5 Wing Back. The three finished tightly grouped with a length and half between them all. 

Race three was a two and three quarter mile maiden hurdle (3.08), in which we had yet another first leg of a double; this time for trainer Gordon Elliott, whose Penny Perfect went clear in the closing stages to win by nearly 10 lengths.

Jockey Danny Gilligan on Penny Perfect streaks up the last furlong to win the Ulster Carpets handicap Hurdle.

Joint favourite Minella Supreme fell, with other market leader Mavetherace finishing as the distant runner-up to Penny Perfect. Next over the line was Fool Me Once at 11/4, then Westoftignes and Southey, both 11/1. 

Another handicap hurdle over the same trip followed (3.43). Here, Alex Harvey brought in his next winner; Noel Kelly’s 11/2 Our Zebo, who had placed last time out over fences.

Our Zebo with Alex Harvey aboard breaks forward up the home straight to win the Randox Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden along from the third last hurdle, the grey gelding didn’t make it light work for Harvey, but stayed on well to keep himself ahead of the challenging 9/2 shot Rockview Consort. The pair went nearly 10 lengths clear of the rest, with the winner just under two lengths ahead of the runner-up. 

The second of Gordon Elliott’s successes came next in the two and half mile beginners’ chase (4.18).

His mare Speculatrix, who had placed on her first start over fences earlier in the month, jumped off as 13/8 favourite and, leading from the beginning and only being contested briefly, made headway before the third from home and went over eight lengths clear towards the line under Kevin Sexton.

Kevin Sexton rode Speculatrix to a win in the Miss Northern Ireland Carly Wilson Beginners Steeplechase.

The others all crossed the line in market order, Invictus World in second at 2/1, all the way down to Mount Sinai last of all at 11/1.

Second to last was a two and a half mile handicap chase (4.53). Here we saw the Hanlons celebrate their second success of the meeting, courtesy of favourite Person Of Interest.

Jockey Paddy Hanlon on Person of Interest, centre, with the pink cap and blue/white hooped sleeves) avoids the loose horses and positions for a final run at the winning line.

This race had plenty of drama, with four of the eight runners unseating their riders, and one of the loose horses badly interfering with the favourite. He managed to recover, however, and won decisively by an impressive 12 lengths, chased home by 20/1 Fr Gilligansvoyge. 

An unusual sight in Downbpatrick: The four loose runners during the 6th race: Sea of Doubt, Doyen Magic, My Good Pal and Firstupbestdressed.

The last race of the day was a two and a quarter mile handicap chase (5.28). At the approach to the final fence, there were five looking to have a chance, a number which reduced to two come the home turn; Lakefield Flyer and Macinamillion were beginning to separate themselves from the rest and duel home.

With the former looking the most likely to win, Macinamillion’s sudden turn of foot came as a bit of a surprise and saw him win for Gavin Cromwell by a length and a half. 

A packed stand enjoying the racing on Ladies Day at Downpatrick Racecourse.Downpatrick results – Monday 25th August 2025

1.58 – Camlin Park (11/1)

2.33 – Pahlavi (15/2)

3.08 – Penny Perfect (15/2)

3.43 – Our Zebo (11/2)

4.18 – Speculatrix (13/8F)

4.53 – Person Of Interest (3/1F)

5.28 – Macinamillion (13/2)

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