Dinoland © Photo Healy Racing
After the impressive win of hurdling debutant Yokkell earlier on the card, John McConnell and Alex Harvey doubled up at Down Royal when Dinoland (10/1) gained a first win on Irish soil in the Pilgrim's Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old, who had one run for the Willie Mullins/Rich Ricci axis before joining his present trainer, made headway from mid-division to lead on the run to the second-last and stayed on well to account for Beggars Rock by two-and-a-half lengths.
Owned in partnership by the trainer along with Nigel O'Hare, Mark Devlin and Philip Smith, Dinoland had made the breakthrough in a novice hurdle at Cartmel last month.
McConnell said: "I just told Alex to maybe take his time a little bit, I think the horse doesn't like to be out of his comfort zone.
"He has won two this year - he is a little bit in and out, but he's a fun, cheap horse.
"He is handicapped over fences too, so he will probably end up there sooner rather than later because he's a big horse. He's probably only coming to himself.
"I actually think he could improve again next year.
"Definitely not one for winter ground, he'll be back up in Tyrone for the winter!"
Quotes from Michael Graham
