Sheilas Wish delights McConnell

There was a tremendous three-way battle for Division 1 of the mile and a half handicap at Cork and it was Colin Keane and Sheilas Wish who came out in front for John McConnell.

After hitting the front inside two pole, Sheilas Wish (10/1) had to fight off challenges on her inside from Crystal Earth (4/1) and Bobskier at 11/2.

The mare held on to win by half a length from Crystal Earth, who beat Bobskier by a head. Crouching Harry the 5/2 favourite from 4s, could make no impression in the last furlong and had to settle for sixth with Joseph O’Brien in the plate.

The success didn’t come as a surprise to trainer John McConnell who said: “I knew we had her back in good form and she was back to a mark she had a chance to win from.

“I was slightly worried about the ground but the lads said it was on the dead side of good which was just right for her.

“Her heart is in the right place and she’ll go to Wexford in a few weeks time.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes