Judgement comes good for McConnell

The John McConnell-trained Reserve Judgement justified good support to open his 'track' account in the two-mile-seven handicap hurdle at Down Royal.

The Ocovango gelding was a point-to-point winner on debut a couple of years ago but had failed to shine since going under rules.

He showed more promise when sixth at Punchestown in February and was backed from 12/1 into 5/1 today to step forward tonight.

Ben Harvey produced his mount to lead bypassing the third last and he asserted going to the next.

Walking The Walks stuck on well in second without ever looking like pegging back the winner and the even-money favourite could only get within two-and-a-half lengths.

McConnell said: "He's slow but he keeps galloping! He likes that ground and won his point-to-point on quick ground.

"To be honest, it is kind of a reward for perseverance by the owner (Derek Kierans). He was giving us a lot of worry for a long time, but he probably only got his conditions today.

"We thought he would run well; it probably wasn't the greatest of races. It is nice to get his head in front and hopefully he can go on and win another one.

"Sedgefield has a 3m3f I think and Cartmel has a 3m1f, and we might travel. He'll jump a fence as well.

"He's not one of the superstars but it is nice to win with the small fry sometimes, it can be harder to win with them.

"Happy for the owner, that is his third winner of the week."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)