O'Connor back among winners on Merchant Merchant Royal pounced at the final fence to claim the front-running Chrisdonlady in the novice hunters chase at Tipperary. The runner-up had enjoyed a healty lead for most of the contest but Matt O'Connor tracked his prey down the straight. A good leap at the final fence sent the 6/4 favourite into the lead and Dermot Weld's charge always had too many guns, going on for a six-length success. Chrisdonlady had been a bit of a gamble, backed from 16/1 this morning and returned 7/2 on course. It was Matt O'Connor's first winner since reverting to amateur status. "He won his only point-to-point at Punchestown and the plan was to win today," said trainer's son and owner Kris Weld. "He might have a little holiday and will mix it between point-to-points and hunters chases in the autumn. He's a nice novelty to have in the yard."
