McLoughlin and Dreaper enjoy St Patrick's Day success

Trainers Dermot McLoughlin and Jim Dreaper were on the mark today at Down Royal and Wexford respectively.

Ratoath trainer McLoughlin looks to have a promising prospect in Delvino which won the bumper at Down Royal.

Second at Navan last month on a racing debut, owned and bred by the Conway family, Delvino was odds-on favourite in the concluding mares' flat race.

Top amateur Mark O’Hare was on board for the owners, Pat and Tilly Conway, and made progress soon after half way to lead over a furlong out and win by four and a half lengths.

"She's a big mare, I'd say there is just a bit of furnishing to do yet,” said McLoughlin.

"She is growing and I'm very happy with her, she is a good, strong mare," he added.

JIM DREAPER

A few miles over the road from Ratoath is the Kilsallaghan yard of Jim Dreaper and he was on the mark in Wexford.

The 25/1 chance Forrard Away, with Mark Bolger on board, caused a surprise on handicap debut in a novice handicap hurdle for another owner and breeder, Peter Newell.

"He loves the ground and is owned by great people, if we said you won’t see him for 18 months until he jumps a fence there would be no problem," commented the trainer's son Thomas.