McConnell continues his good start to 2020

John McConnell has his horses in fine form in the early days of the New Year, and registered his fifth winner already of 2020 when Beleaguerment (6/1) took the concluding Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap (Division II) under Rory Cleary.

The Kodiac gelding, a winner at Kempton in 2018 for Archie Watson, came with a sustained run down the outside to thwart the game Lady Sonia (16/1), who gave her all after six months off the track.

A neck separated them at the line, with Silk Cravat (12/1) another length away in third, while the 2/1 favourite Tyrconnell who got in as a reserve, finished sixth.

The Stamullen, Co.Meath handler had won the final two races on last Friday’s card, as well as winning the first two races on Musselburgh’s National Hunt card on New Year’s Day.

Beleaguerment had twice run well to hit the frame here behind Count Of Carabass in November, and was then freshened up after a slightly disappointing run in early December.

“He deserved it, he's a little horse carrying a lot of weight and is very genuine,” said winning trainer John McConnell.

“He wasn't a dear horse and we're delighted he's had his day. The people involved in him are very good people and we're delighted to get a winner for them.

“He's very tough. He wore blinkers and stuff over in England but to me he's the most genuine horse you could have and he maybe just needed to come down to his proper mark.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson