Matt Connor finds the target again

The form of Matt Connor s win at Cork on his previous start had worked out well and the 3/1 favourite followed up in the 1m2f handicap for three-year-olds.

Bill Lee tracked the leaders on the Teofilo gelding who was travelling well in third on the home turn. In front a furlong out, the Henry de Bromhead-trained winner kept on well in the colours of the Patocallagahanracing Syndicate to beat Picture Of A City by a length and a half.

“He did it well and he's improved from Cork,” said Lee.

“He travelled lovely today, I thought we went a nice even gallop. They've done a lovely job on the ground, it's riding beautiful out there.

“He travelled everywhere, he took me well into the straight and he picked up, I was just biding my time.

“I thought in Cork that he was a little bit green in front and he was a little bit like that again with me today and was rolling around with me but he galloped well to the line.

“He'll have no bother going a mile-and-a-half and he's improving away so long may it last.

“I wanted a lead as long as possible but I had to send him on about his business and to be fair when he got there I knew he was always going to win.

“He'll go a mile-and-a-half no problem and he'll maybe jump a hurdle down the line. He's an exciting one for the lads to have.

“Matt Connor (a brilliant Offaly footballer in the late 1970s/early 80s) is actually there today. I was told all about him lately, he was one of the best footballers around so it was nice to meet him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson