Downeys king rules at fairyhouse

There was success for local trainer Pat Downey and Robbie Colgan at Fairyhouse yesterday when the giant King Of Brega (17 hands) won a beginners' chase at his first attempt.

The King Of Brega (full title) won by half a length from Formal Bid trained by Gordon Elliott with the Noel Meade-trained Prima Vista in third to make it a real Meath one, two, three.

The winner was backed from  4/1 into 7/4 favourite. Downey trains near Slane and will run Three Bells at the Curragh today.

Noel Meade recorded a first and last race double at the track. He won the first race with The Herds Garden (Paul Carberry) and the bumper with Snow Falcon (Nina Carberry).

The Herds Garden benefited on the run in when Robbie Power's mount Walk To Freedon ran through the rail.

However, there was compensation for Power later when he was on the mark for trainer Jessica Harrington with Painted Lady in a beginners chase.

NEWMARKET

Tony Martin's Quick Jack finished third in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket yesterday less than a length off the winner Big Easy.