McConnell completes Fairyhouse double

Trainer John McConnell completed a double at Fairyhouse today as his Sheila's Hope (8/1) completed a double of her own when landing the Fairyhouse June 15th Apprentice Handicap under jockey Tom Madden.

The daughter of Casamento was a 33/1 winner at Cork on May 18 and today defied a 5lbs weight hike to beat Pari Passu which had finished third in that Cork race, by three parts of a length.

Afterwards McConnell, successful half an hour earlier with 25/1 shot Hey Pretty stated “that was great and he came out of the race in Cork very well and we thought she'd run very well.

“It thought she was a great price actually and couldn't believe the price she was.

“She's progressive, she didn't win by too much so hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on her.

“She's fun and the owner (Peter Commane) has been very loyal to me. We bought her as a foal and he's been patient with her as she's a big rangy filly and is only maturing now both mentally and physically.

“I've been telling him she's working well but it didn't really come to fruition until this year.

“I put her in at Navan next week and we might go there, but we'll see as there is no rush now.”

Quotes from Gary Carson