Seven hour trip yields first win for O'Connor

Philip O’Connor’s epic trip to Downpatrick today yielded a memorable and profitable first success today, as the Glanworth, Co Cork based trainer got off the mark with well backed Double Take in the Kelso Racecourse, Being Part It Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Papal Bull was backed from 20/1 this morning in to 12/1 and in the race was produced with a well timed challenge under 7lbs claimer Cian Collins to eventually record a length win over Forever Dylan

The week of the Ploughing Championship throws up dubious stories of outlandish early starts, but O’Connor today revealed “we left Cork at five this morning and we stopped in the Curragh to walk him round a bit - it took seven hours to get here!”

He then added “he got very strong in July and turned into a tank! He's been working well and has been thriving. He’s the most honest horse and is ridden at home without a bridle as he's such a quiet horse!

“He's a six-year-old and he needed every day of it (to strengthen up). He's a beauty and I'm delighted for the horse more than for myself!

“I’d like to thank Terence O'Brien (trainer) for using his gallop. I’ve had ten point to point winners and I've got four horses in at the minute."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham