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McConnell and Timmons back amongst the winners

Itsalonglongroad and Chris Timmons lead over the last from eventual fifth Alice O'byrne Itsalonglongroad and Chris Timmons lead over the last from eventual fifth Alice O'byrne
© Photo Healy Racing

Itsalonglongroad (10/1) won the Toals Bookmakers Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-109) to end a quiet spell for trainer John McConnell.

The 7-year-old dual purpose gelding led from the third and made the rest of the running, staying on well from the last to score by two and a quarter lengths and a head from Sweet Sixteen (8/1) and Top Line Tommy (14/1).

It was the Lawman gelding's fourth win over jumps to go with three victories on the Flat.

Well-treated chaser Everlastingpromise sent off 9/4 favourite, was unable to land a blow on his first start for nearly a year and finished seventh.

Chris Timmons was riding his first winner since scoring on Nobody Home at Kilbeggan last October and commented: "He does (love being out in front), he won around here before over fences and it is definitely a kind of specialist track. He seems to act around here.

"There was a lot of horses that wanted to make it and a lot of competition for the lead. He's quite a free-going horse, but luckily I got a couple of breathers into him on the way round and he had plenty left to finish out.

"He filled his lungs and John (McConnell) is a very good trainer and his horses are fit. He did it well. John was hopeful he was in good form but there looked to be a few dangers.

"It is lovely (good) ground and they have done a good job."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.