McConnell wins both divisions of Dundalk handicap

Trainer John McConnell completed a Dundalk double today, winning both divisions of the Friday 12th July Ladies Day At Dundalk Handicap and completing the feat with Zahee (13/2) under apprentice jockey Keithen Kennedy.

Nine-year-old Zahee's previous win was at Leopardstown in April 2022 and today ended a 20-race losing spell when arriving from off the pace to eventually score readily by 3.5 lengths from runner-up Suityourselfboss

McConnell had won the half-hour earlier 'split' with the Siobhan Rutledge-ridden Bungle Inthedesert and following the double, Zahee's jockey Kennedy, who was riding his 11th winner, reported “Zahee is a little bit tricky but I have been getting on well with him and he deserved it.

“I planned to be more forward than I was but he missed the kick, so I sat in behind and got cover. I got a gap on the rail, got a dream run through and kicked and went away.

"A big thanks to John as he has been very good to me over the winter and has given me loads of winners."

Quotes from Michael Graham