Coakley & McConnell on the mark with Itsalonglongroad

Itsalonglongroad finally made the breakthrough on the level, as he claimed the concluding Tote Proud Sponsors Of Ballinrobe Racecourse Maiden.

A winner of a maiden hurdle at Tramore in April of 2018, the John McConnell trained five-year-old was placed on seven of his previous nineteen starts under Flat rules.

Beaten by just a nose at Dundalk in December, he again filled the runner-up spot on his most recent outing at Sligo.

Sent off at 9/2 this evening, the son of Lawman raced in second early on before improving to lead with just over a circuit to race.

He was pressed by Convara inside the final furlong, but kept on well under pressure in the closing stages to prevail by half a length for owners the Let's Get Lucky Racing Club.

The runner-up was returned at 4/1 under Andrew Slattery for his father Andy, while 20/1 chance World Premier was another nine lengths back in third. Penny Out was sent off the 9/4 favourite (11s in early shows) but she lost her chance at the start when slow away from the stalls.

The John Kiely trained market leader eventually finished sixth under Colin Keane.

"It has been a long long road but he deserved it as he's been consistent," said McConnell.

"He's just hard on himself. We've been trying to drop him in but it's not worked and Ross gave him a great ride from the front there.

"I'm delighted to get that bracket for him and he must like tight tracks as he won at Tramore before.

"He might end up back there."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards fined I.Madden, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Baby Bellini, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Baby Bellini in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

C.T. Keane, rider of Penny Out, trained by John E. Kiely, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was very slowly away, raced too keenly, then emptied.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy