McConnell winners keep flowing with Sharp Object Ben Harvey judged things to a nicety in front and favourite Sharp Object (11/10) found plenty for him for pressure to land the ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick. Continuing the fine recent run of form for the John McConnell stable, the successful Syndicates Racing-owned daughter of Diamond Boy had two rivals still to contend with from before the last. Harvey's brother Alex was aboard eventual third, She Can Do It. That bronze medalist, and indeed the second placer, Born In Purple, could only find the one pace on the run-in and the margins between the principals at the line were eight lengths and three parts of a length. "I was a little bit worried - I thought I was taking a bit of a risk dropping her down in trip, but Ben said it was easy for her," said McConnell. "From the last up to the line, up a hill, she actually put distance between herself on her own which Ben and I were impressed with. "She's a nice filly and she has already got black-type and I would hope she would be a black-type filly over hurdles as well. "We had a little bit of a blip then in the middle of the winter, but that's all sorted now. When she is on song, she is very good. "We'll go the novice hurdle route. I don't know if we will go through the winter, but we will certainly go up until October and then we will see what we do. "It was a good pot and I think it is a bonus race as well for fillies, so that's a big thing. I'm delighted for Syndicates Racing." Sam Ewing, rider of Gina Moon, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left from two furlongs out and the bit went through the mouth. (MG & EM)
