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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

McConnell completes concluding races Dundalk double

Wed 14th Feb 2024, 17:41

Yokkell (far side) with Garrick PainterYokkell (far side) with Garrick Painter
© Photo Healy Racing

John McConnell won Dundalk's concluding two races today as Yokkell (4/1) completed the feat in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, under jockey Siobhan Rutledge.

Successful half an hour earlier with the Keithen Kennedy-partnered Noble Crusade five year old mare Yokkell doubled the trainer's score with a fifth career win, when battling to a head victory from Garrick Painter

McConnell said “Yokkell is super and would nearly make you emotional. She's just very genuine and very tough. She's a winner.

"A mile-and-a-half is probably her trip and that extended 1m2f is just long enough. She doesn't owe us anything but you wouldn't know where she could end up on Good Friday, maybe at Newcastle.

"Hopefully, she can't be hit too hard by the handicapper.

"Siobhan gets on very well with her and gave her a peach of a ride just in behind the leaders. I think she knew from halfway down the straight she was going to get up. They are a very good team."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.