Minsk proves shrewd buy for Connell Minsk turned a competitive looking Cesarewitch into a cake walk as he cruised to success in the €64,000 feature event at the Curragh this afternoon. Sam James gave the gelding an ultra confident ride as he swept into the lead at the furlong pole and quickened clear in style. John Oxx's charge powered clear inside the final furlong to record an impressive five-and-a-half length success over Cry For The Moon. The 4/1 favourite was completing a hat-trick at the course and had been bought by Barry Connell following his latest success here last month. "I thought the handicapper might have got him. The rise he got after last time seemed plenty," said Oxx. "It just goes to show you that when they are improving you don't know where they will end up. He's won well again. "I had a little doubt about the distance as he won so well over a mile-and-a-half but he travelled well and quickened up. "Barry has a nice horse. It nice to see it turn out well when someone buys one. "He's due off to a jumps trainer now - Dessie Hughes - and i'm ringing him in the morning. He'll head on to a new life in the next few days." It was the Currabeg handler's eighth success in the premier handicap. Gary Carson
