Hand In My Pocket overturns favourite in Bellewstown bumper

John McConnell bagged his first winner at this year's Bellewstown 'festival' today as the trainer's Hand In My Pocket (7/2) won the concluding Champions @ Tattersalls INH Bumper under jockey Ben Harvey.

McConnell didn't manage a win on the opening two days of the staggered festival and was also out of luck with Anna Bunina (which unseated rider at the second last when challenging) and runner-up Roi De Dubai today but made it third-runner lucky in the finale.

Winning jockey Ben Harvey gained his first racecourse win with a big-race success on the Gearoid O'Loughlin trained Space Cadet in the Ulster National earlier this year and today made all on Hand In My Pocket which held on to overturn 4/6 favourite Jawbox which hung left in the closing stages.

Trainer McConnell later reported “her point-to-point form was very good and she was probably unlucky in her point-to-point.

“She was probably unlucky in a bumper at Musselburgh as she led everywhere bar the post.

“If Daryl (Jacob, jockey) had known her she probably would have won and the winner came out and won a winners bumper in England.

“She's not flashy at home but she saves it all for the track and she was good there. I know it was a summer bumper but she was good.

“The second, third and fourth were all the ones that you'd want to be there, so the form is there.

“I don't know what we'll do now. She jumps very well so will probably go hurdling. It's great to get that win anyway.”

Quotes from Gary Carson