McConnell doubles up with Church

John McConnell bagged a quick double at Kilbeggan this afternoon when Churchwarden battled gamely to land the novice handicap hurdle.

Ben Harvey was in the plate this time and tracked the front-running Andyourbirdcansing in the two-mile-three contest.

The 15/8 favourite disputed after the second last, along with Desert Cave and went on from that rival on the run-in.

Andyourbirdcansing stayed on again to grab the runner-up spot, getting within three-parts-of-a-length at the line.

Harvey said:- “I made the running on him here the last day and he just got on with the job a lot better.

“I was a bit surprised going to the last when he pricked his ears and backed off it a little bit. I suppose it’s his first handicap going in against horses with a lot more experience than him.

“He got through the soft ground really well and after his last run here you would be expecting him to go and do that.

“There is definitely more improvement to come from today and I’d say he’ll get a bit further.

“John’s horses are flying, he was fit coming here today and it’s great.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)