Big moment for O'Loughlin as Space Cadet rockets to Ulster National victory

Trainer Gearoid O'Loughlin enjoyed his biggest win to date as Space Cadet stayed on strongest to win the Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick on Saturday.

Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, Space Cadet was winning for the first time under rules for his new trainer, having claimed a pair of point-to-points upon joining the yard.

The finish boiled down to a tussle between Space Cadet and last year's winner, Amaulino, and it was the former who came out on top, returning at 25-1 under amateur rider Ben Harvey.

General Principle, Ifyoucatchmenow and Cheb De Kerviniou cut out the running, but the last-named started to toil on the final circuit and quickly dropped away.

As General Principle tried to press on, Space Cadet and Amaulino gave chase, and at the second-last, last year's winner, Amaulino, briefly hit the front.

But Space Cadet jumped up his inside at the last and grabbed a couple of lengths on the turn for home, a lead he would not relinquish.

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