McConnells strike in the opener at Bellewstown

Cillian McConnell continues to impress and rode a winner at his local track as his father John's charge Godhead (11/2) finished well to land the INPBA On Course Bookmakers Claiming Race.

The Charm Spirit gelding, who won three of his first four races for John Gosden as a young horse but was winless for Ado McGuinness last season, tracked the leaders before moving into second over a furlong down. It looked like the pace-setting Fox Leicester would hold on but McConnell conjured a late thrust from his mount to thwart that rival by a head with Mischief Star half a length further away in third.

The winner had been backed in from 15/2 to 7/2 before racing but was easy to back on course.

"That's his first run now in a while obviously because Dundalk has finished now," said the in-form rider (third winner from his last four rides).

"He ran over 7f the last day and I just thought it was a bit sharp for him. I was second on him over a mile (in Dundalk).

"He ran great and I kind of always thought I was getting there.

"He could be a fun summer horse. We'll definitely look after him and hopefully he comes out of that well. We have to mind him a little bit on the ground when it is quick like that.

"We'll see how we go with him if he doesn't get claimed."

There were two claims in for the winner at his price of 9,000Euros and he'll be sleeping in a different box this evening after James McAuley's name was first out of the hat.

Quotes from Michael Graham