Dubai does the business for McConnell

Roi De Dubai produced a fine front-running performance to claim the Seamus Mulvaney Crockafotha Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown, giving trainer John McConnell an across-the-card double.

Adam Short gave the Dubai Destination gelding a positive ride and he had his rivals at work before the second last in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

A slight mistake at that penultimate flight didn't halt his momentum and the 4/1 shot galloped on strongly from the last to record a four-and-three-quarter length success over Trans Wood

The winner had finished eighth on his return to action at Wexford last month but was only beaten just under three lengths.

McConnell said: "He had run very well in Wexford over two miles in a pipe opener and this had been the plan all along and it came off.

"Sometimes once in a blue moon you feel you have a horse perfect and he was it. I was just praying I was right!

"He's a real terrier, he's not over big but he just gallops and gallops and if something comes to him he puts his head down. He puts everything into it.

"He is probably best undercooked if anything. Towards the end of last year we probably ran him too much on quick ground and probably soured him a bit.

"The owners are over from America so it is brilliant.

"I suppose we will have to look at Galway. It will be a lot harder in Galway but we will have to look at it.

"For the people that own this, this is their Galway and Cheltenham but we might look at Galway if he sneaks into the bottom of big handicap hurdle on the Saturday or the Sunday over two mile five, two mile six."

McConnell had also struck in the opener at Wexford today with Lowtown Charlie

(Quotes by Michael Graham)