Ruby Walsh took the riding honours with a double in front of a bumper bank holiday crowd at Downpatrick yesterday afternoon. The former champion sent Dr Monty to the front before the last in the Network Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle to beat Indalo by three and a half lengths, and the point-to-point winner is a chaser in the making, according to Bernie Stack, wife of winning trainer Gerry.

Walsh followed up later on when Back In Thyne led close home to take the Natural Gas Beginners Chase. Shanavoher looked sure to win this three mile event when five lengths clear and travelling well after the last. However, Walsh's mount gradually closed the gap on the uphill run to the line, eventually scoring by a neck.

Clever Consul successfully reverted from hurdles to land the featured Heart of Down Cesarewitch Handicap. Fran Berry sent the Tony Martin-trained gelding to the front entering the straight for a four-length victory over topweight Macabeo.

Joe Casey, who became the first Irish-based jockey to ride a jumps winner at Flemington earlier this month in the Ireland v Australia jockeys challenge, recorded his fifth domestic winner of the season aboard Edermine Berry in the Eastwood Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old mare led approaching two out to beat Ballincurry Hare by three lengths to provide trainer Philip Rothwell with his 14th winner in as many weeks.