Chinx Of Light © Photo Healy Racing
Chinx Of Light pulled up on his previous outing at Cork in December, bounced back to form after a break to land the Club Orange Hurdle under Simon Torrens.
The grey son of Shantou, a full-brother to a couple of smart horses Sword Of Destiny and Wounded Warrior, was held up in touch before moving into the lead at the third-last. He raced clear down to the second-last where he was lucky to survive a bad mistake but had the prize in safe keeping when his closest pursuers, Where It All Began and Angels Dawn crashed out at the last.
The winner, sent off a 5/1 chance, coasted home to beat Golas Tiep by eleven lengths.
Winning trainer John McConnell said: "He's a funny sort of a horse, he's very relaxed in the stable yard. The minute he gets to hear noise he gets quite worked up. He wasn't too bad today but he still has a lot left to develop mentally, I think. If we can keep a lid on him, he showed there he has a lot of ability.
"He quickened up and from three out to two out was very impressive.
"We kind of went out on a limb to buy him and kind of had a disaster on his first day. We were patient with him to get him back. We bought him after he won his maiden hurdle and we loved him at home. We went to a Grade 3 and he never ran his race for whatever reason.
"We just took our time getting him right and this is a stepping stone in the right direction because he could be very good. He is well bred and has a lot of ability I'd say.
"He's not a very big, heavy horse so he probably goes on most ground. I'd say he had never gone as fast in his life down to two out and couldn't get his legs sorted out.
"We'll keep him going now and obviously he might make a lovely chaser."
Quotes from Michael Graham
