McConnell and Timmons back amongst the winners Itsalonglongroad (10/1) won the Toals Bookmakers Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-109) to end a quiet spell for trainer John McConnell. The 7-year-old dual purpose gelding led from the third and made the rest of the running, staying on well from the last to score by two and a quarter lengths and a head from Sweet Sixteen (8/1) and Top Line Tommy (14/1). It was the Lawman gelding's fourth win over jumps to go with three victories on the Flat. Well-treated chaser Everlastingpromise, sent off 9/4 favourite, was unable to land a blow on his first start for nearly a year and finished seventh. Chris Timmons was riding his first winner since scoring on Nobody Home at Kilbeggan last October and commented: "He does (love being out in front), he won around here before over fences and it is definitely a kind of specialist track. He seems to act around here. "There was a lot of horses that wanted to make it and a lot of competition for the lead. He's quite a free-going horse, but luckily I got a couple of breathers into him on the way round and he had plenty left to finish out. "He filled his lungs and John (McConnell) is a very good trainer and his horses are fit. He did it well. John was hopeful he was in good form but there looked to be a few dangers. "It is lovely (good) ground and they have done a good job." Quotes from Michael Graham
