CLONBURY BRIDGE built on a close second last time out to justify favouritism in Friday’s Beginners Chase at Downpatrick.

Dropping back to two mile and three furlongs, Philip Dempsey’s charge was ridden prominently by Luke Dempsey and was travelling best of the field when joining the leader at the second last. Asserting at the final fence, he was ridden out to win by a length and a quarter.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “He was a nice hurdle horse, so I’m delighted and we will probably mix it with hurdling too.”

Clonbury Bridge previously won twice over hurdles, including at the Galway Festival. The son of Presenting was sold by Killeen Glebe via Limekiln Stud at the Goffs Land Rover Sale, having been bought as a yearling with Kevin Ross.