Cross and O'Connor strike again

Fennor Cross and Donagh O'Connor are striking up quite a partnership and the pair recorded a fourth win together when claiming the Mount Charles Handicap at Down Royal.

The John McConnell-trained gelding won twice under O'Connor last autumn and they were also successful first time out this year at Cork last month.

He was sent to post 3/1 favourite in today's ten furlong contest and travelled well to lead at the two furlong marker.

The Elzaam gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a four-and-a-half length win over Reverberation

McConnell said: "You see the size of him, he's big and he is probably only filling out into himself now. That's probably where the improvement has come and we've stepped him up in trip again. He'll stay further.

"I'd say he will go to Galway now. We will probably go up to a mile and a half there, he doesn't owe us anything and the lads are over the moon.

"Donagh actually said he thought he might be too close as they were going that quick and something might nab him from behind, but he picked up all the way to the line.

"He switched off lovely and you can ride him any way. He's one to look forward to.

"I wouldn't mind jumping a hurdle some day with him either. We were talking about it and then I was vetoed!

“We'll put that on the back burner for now, but he would jump a hurdle. He would be exciting going over hurdles."

The race was delayed by five minutes after All Class got loose at the start. She eventually refused to load after being caught.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)