In-form Dame Rapide gives McConnell a double

Dame Rapide sealed a Dundalk double for John McConnell when taking the concluding mile and a half handicap.

The 7/1 chance raced in rear of mid-division for Siobhan Rutledge and made her move down the inner with a furlong and half to travel.

She was ridden into the lead at the furlong marker and soon scooted a few lengths clear. She hit the line three lengths up on Tham Luang (18/1 from 25/1). The well-backed 6/4-favourite Drakensberg was a neck away in third.

"That was good. Things didn't go according to plan the last day, they went very slow over a mile-and-two and it turned into a sprint which didn't suit her. As you can see she stays very well,” said McConnell.

“She's just a filly that is going the right way and Siobhan gets on very well with her.

“It's brilliant for the owner/breeder, he had a nice horse there. I don't know where we'll go after that but we'll probably be going up in grade now.

“She's a lovely filly and very straightforward. The horses are going well and long may it last.”

This was Dame Rapide's third Dundalk success from her last four runs at the track.

McConnell was earlier successful with Jack Berry House in the mile handicap.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson