James back among the winners at Down Royal

The red-hot form of Rob James showed no sign of relenting, as the Wexford rider supplemented a number of Punchestown successes by securing the C & C White Maiden Hunter Chase at Down Royal on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sent off as the odds-on favourite having been no match for the exciting I Walked The Line at Tramore last month, the Jack Foley-trained seven-year-old had a more straightforward task ahead of him at the Co. Down venue, with just three rivals lining up in opposition.

Striking the front turning the home bend, the three-time point-to-point winner still had the advantage coming to the last when his chief rival, Colvin, attempted to deliver his challenge.

That proved to be short-lived as he parted ways with his rider, Jack Johnson, paving the way for Catalani to secure his first success under rules by defeating Focus Point, the only other finisher, by 25 lengths.

“He has been in the first three all season, bar one day in Thurles, when he fell at the last, but it’s great to get his head in front as he is a real favourite at home,” Foley said.

“Rob is brilliant, all you had to do was watch him in Punchestown last week, horses just jump so well for him, and he really gels with Catalani, he gets on so well for him.

“Rob said that he was having a look around, coming to the last, but if anything had come to him, he had plenty left, he winged the last too.

“He has been busy all season, but he has a good appetite for it, we will see. He could go to Killarney next or to Stratford. We will see how he is in the next few days.”

This Down Royal success follows a Punchestown treble for James last week, whilst he was also among the winners at Ballindenisk aboard his own Maxi Twist on Sunday.