McConnell on the mark at Gowran with Fennor Cross John McConnell, successful with Ally Cay over hurdles at Downpatrick yesterday, was on the mark on the Flat at Gowran Park this afternoon as Fennor Cross came out on top in a blanket finish to division one of the Xenon Security Handicap. The Elzaam gelding, available at 28/1 earlier in the day and sent off at 12/1, challenged towards the stands’ side in the straight as the maximum field of 16 runners were spread across the track. Donagh O’Connor’s mount kept on gamely in the closing stages to get the better of Dunum by a head, with Hidden Spark the same distance back in third. The 5/2 favourite Evergreen And Red was just three quarters of a length away in fourth. O’Connor said, “When he got there he had a look as it was the first time he hit the front in a race. “He’s had a few niggly problems but John has done wonders with him. He’ll come on again from today and is a nice horse going forward. “He’s a big horse and still has to fill into his frame.” Explaining his decision to challenge wide in the straight, O’Connor added: “The ground was fairly chewed up after the first two races and when I saw Colin (Keane on Lady Leanora) going over I said I’d follow him. He fell away fairly quick and I was left out a bit in no man’s land. “He enjoyed the bit of cut in the ground.”
