Down Royal: 'It's been a great day' - Cian Quirke records first double

Tuesday: Down Royal

Young rider Cian Quirke has enjoyed a fine start to 2023 and took it up a notch at Down Royal's opening fixture of the year to record the first double of his fledgling career.

Quirke had to work hard to get it too. Not too many spectators or professionals seemed to think his mount The Gradual Slope had prevailed in the rated novice hurdle, but the camera said differently as the Sean O'Brien-trained gelding prevailed by a nose from the Richie Deegan-ridden Marelly.

O'Brien said: "I thought he was beat but Cian was very confident that he'd got up. This horse did very well during the summer and his Leopardstown run at Christmas left him spot on. He got into a bit of bother in the race and ended up going down the inside, but Cian's not short of confidence and is great value for 7lb. Mark McDonagh, the owner, wanted Cian to ride him because he's in the 3m handicap hurdle at Leopardstown. That's where he'll go now."

Quirke had to work just as hard for the second leg of his double, partnering the Sam Curling-trained Angels Dawn to a half-length success in the 3m handicap chase. The eight-year-old was winning for just the second time.

Quirke said: "It's been a great day. I have a lot of people to thank for it. Andy and Willie Slattery have been unbelievably good to me. I've been with them for the last five years and they've taught me everything I know. I've done lots of schooling in Sam Curling's as well and he was good enough to let me ride the mare today. If you'd told me this a year ago, I wouldn't have believed you."

Elliott bookends card

Some of Gordon Elliott's string had not been running to their best over the last week or two, but he had a good start here as the promising Doctor Bravo landed a decent opening maiden hurdle under Davy Russell.

In quite a messy contest, both the winner and favourite The Big Doyen were forced to make their challenges quite wide on the track. Despite looking second best coming to the last, Russell's mount was brave as he got back in front on the run-in and went away to win by two and three-quarter lengths. 

Elliott said: "He's a nice horse and probably wants a bit further. Davy said he did well after he got caught in a bit of a pocket. The second horse went by him but he showed a good attitude and the best of him was from the last to the line."

A second success for the stable came with the impressive No Time To Wait, 15-length winner of the bumper under Jamie Codd. He was introduced at 10-1 for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper by Paddy Power.

Results, replays and analysis

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