Dollys Desination scored for trainer Gary McGill and jockey Conor Orr© Photo Healy Racing
We’ve become well used to dual champion apprentice Oisin Orr landing one in front near the line on the Flat, and his brother Conor showed no lack of confidence when bringing Dollys Destination (8/1, from 16s in the morning) from well back in the field to ultimately win cosily in the Hotel Park St Johann Handicap Hurdle.
The winner, successful in both a bumper and a novice hurdle at Hexham in the past, was coming here off a lay-off having finished runner-up three times in a row in June.
Her jockey was content to bide his time all the way up the straight, before unleashing her after the last from where she picked up really strongly to pass several rivals on the run-in.
In the end, she won with ease by a margin of two and a half lengths and a length from the JP McManus-owned pair Encore Lui (14/1) and The Moyglass Flyer (12/1). Father Ailbe at 25/1 completed the placings, while the 11/4 favourite Quamino travelled well to two out but could find no more from there and finishd in fifth place.
“We gave her a break in the summer time and we thought she had improved,” said winning trainer Gary McGill.
“We ran her in a schooling bumper at Moira on Tuesday and she won it handy enough on the bridle.
“We came here today thinking we'd give her a run and see what happens. I didn't expect that!
“I didn't think she was as ready as that. She's a good wee mare.
“She started off in point-to-points but then we realised she had a lot of speed so we dropped her to two miles and she won her bumper over in Hexham.
“On her last four runs she's just improved and improved. She's bumped into a couple of good ones.
“We thought we'd come down here today and we'd have been happy with fifth or sixth but she flew home.
“We actually thought we'd run today, see how we go, and then come back here in two weeks time. So hopefully that'll be the plan.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
