TWIN Rainbow repeated his course success of New Year's Day when winning the Down Royal Handicap Chase for trainer Paddy Osborne at the northern track yesterday.

Just when it looked as though Risk Of Thunder, who had made all the running, would hold on, Twin Rainbow came on the scene between the last two fences and caught the leader at the last before going on to win by a hard fought half length from the fast finishing Top Run, with Risk Of Thunder ending up third.

"That's two in a row for Twin Rainbow up here so I suppose I'll have to come back more often," said Osborne. "I have nothing in mind for Twin Rainbow who won a novice chase here on his last visit, and today's race was his first over the three miles trip.".

Tom Taaffe had his first winner at Down Royal as a trainer when Geallainban came home four lengths clear off Government Grant in the Lurgan Maiden Hurdle. Geallainban disputed the lead with Government Grant at the second last hurdle before sprinting clear to win comfortably.

This was a chance mount for jockey Conor O'Dwyer, who was to have ridden at Tramore. However, his two intended mounts were taken out, so he made the late switch to Down Royal and the move paid off.

Helen's Bay led from the second hurdle to see off all challengers in the EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle and win by four lengths from the favourite, Dust Gale. "That's my first winner since November," said trainer Pat Martin. "Helen's Bay stays well and just keeps on galloping. She'll run again in a three mile handicap hurdle at Navan".