Bouncing back from a lack-lustre effort in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, Born Braver (15/2) gave Gavin Cromwell a third Randox Ulster National victory in Downpatrick. Cromwell had previously bagged this prestigious prize with Spades Are Trumps (2022) and Malina Girl (2023), the latter ridden by Keith Donoghue, who commented, “He probably ran back a bit soon the last day, in the Grand National trial, when the pace was slow in heavy ground. “We were hoping he’d scrape into the bottom of the Irish National. On a day he’ll remember for a long time, Sonny Carey savoured his first double as a trainer, with a strong Mullins family connection. I’ll leave plans to the jockey.”Andrew Kinirons struck with well-backed German import and dual-purpose prospect Lips Freedom (Donagh Meyler) in the Billie And Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle while another gamble was landed by Cozone, for the father and son combination of Matt and James Smith, in the Hood McGowan Kirk Handicap Hurdle.

Source: Irish Examiner March 29, 2026 17:45 UTC