Pete completes memorable day for McConnell & Harvey

Eco Pete (5/1) ran out an easy winner of the Molson Coors INH Flat Race, completing a treble on the card for John McConnell, while also providing Alex Harvey with his first track success.

Earlier on the mark with Ally Cay and Mullaghmore Wave the McConnell treble came in at just under 247/1.

Fifth to Jeremys Jewel on his debut at Wexford in June, Eco Pete was sent off a 5/1 chance today and he came with his effort with three furlongs left to race.

He was ridden and just about squeezed through a gap with two furlongs to go, soon improving into a narrow lead.

The son of Leading Light extended his advantage inside the final furlong and had eight-and-a-half lengths to spare at the line. Quantum Realm who was sent off the 2/5 favourite, couldn't match the winner from the furlong pole and he ultimately had to settle for second under Jamie Codd for Denise Foster. My Ladeen gave owner/rider Heather Heffernan a great spin on her first track ride. The son of Arcadio finished another six-and-a-half lengths back in third at the odds of 100/1.

McConnell, who was recording his sixth success so far this month, said: "It's great to get a good day like that.

"He ran well on his first run when he was very green. I quite like Leading Light horses - they seem to a bit immature mentally but they are tough horses.

"He was good there today. He stayed well and he was fit. He thrives on his training even though he is not a very big horse.

"I don't know what we will do with him, we might put him away for the year and bring him back in the spring to go hurdling with him.

"A great bunch of lads own him (the Better Days Syndicate) and they were very patient with him. I'm delighted for them. They are from Ashbourne, Ratoath direction and north Co Dublin."

On Alex Harvey, McConnell added: "This is his first racecourse win; he has won a point-to-point.

"He is a very good rider; he gave two horses good spins for me in fourth and sixth in bumpers at Galway.

"He has just done his leaving cert and he is Ben Harvey's brother."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham