Brian O'Connell is enjoying something of a breakthrough year and the jockey partnered his first winner for trainer Gordon Elliott when winning the Festival Dreams Begin In Ireland With Thoroughbred Marketing Maiden Hurdle on the Gigginstown House Stud's Cape Glory

O'Connell, whose steered Last Instalment to win this year's Hennessy Gold Cup and has since been riding a large share of the Gigginstown House Stud's horses, secured a good jump at the final flight on Cape Glory before recording a two lengths win over Grand Partner

Elliott later stated “he looked in trouble three out but in fairness to him he's tough. They probably didn't go fast enough for him early on but he won anyway and it's great. He's the type who could win a handicap hurdle now.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson