RUANO gave Lisburn trainer Harold Kirk the biggest win of his career when landing the Cork Dry Gin Ulster Cesarewitch at Downpatrick yesterday.

The Belfort gelding, who made almost all the running, fought his way through a cloudburst to score by a length from Teresian Girl with third place going to the favourite, Comrade Chinnery.

Kirk, who was scoring his first win since last year, said: "I bought Ruano out of the Newmarket stables of Sean Woods and today was the gelding's first success. I'm also delighted for his young jockey, Shane Kelly, who was scoring the third win of his career."

Kirk first became known when riding as an amateur for Downpatrick trainer Jeremy Maxwell and in 1983 rode subsequent Grand National hero Rhyme `N' Reason to his first victory in a bumper at Dundalk.

Lucan trainer Norman Cassidy had a welcome winner when Chanoble caught the front-running Maddy Keel with two furlongs to go and ran away from that rival to win the bumper by three lengths for owner Deirdre McMahon.

Dublin trainer, Luke Comer, who spends most of his time attending to his property business in London, scored a shock 16 to success in the Ardglass Handicap Hurdle.

"This is a lucky place for me," said the winning trainer afterwards. "My last win anywhere was when Brookville Star won the Ulster Cesarewitch here last year. While I'm in England my horses at Dunboyne are looked after by my son Barry and daughter Sandra."

Longford trainer Liam Reilly had his third success of the season when Montetan took the Newcastle Maiden Hurdle, beating the favourite, Real Taoiseach, by three lengths.