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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

McConnells celebrating again after Switch win

Thu 16th Mar 2023, 17:51

Make The Switch and Cillian McConnell (right) collar No Trouble (nearest)Make The Switch and Cillian McConnell (right) collar No Trouble (nearest)
© Photo Healy Racing

Make The Switch swooped late to deny stablemate No Trouble in the claimer at Dundalk, to add to a memorable day for trainer John McConnell.

The Stamullen handler was over in Cheltenham where Seddon landed a famous win for himself and Ben Harvey in the Magners Plate Handicap Chase.

He is also well represented on the home front today and his son Cillian gave Make The Switch a fine ride to land the ten furlong claimer.

5/4 favorite No Trouble hit the front passing the two marker and looked in control running to the furlong pole.

He was chased down close home though by Make The Switch as the Dansili gelding got up for a half length win at odds of 4/1.

The winning rider said:- "It (stamina) did come into play, I think I just outstayed our other horse at that trip.

"They kind of quickened away from me and I got caught in a pocket coming around the bend, and I thought I might only finish second or third.

"Then he just stayed, and stayed at it down the middle, and he just outstayed No Trouble there."

And on Seddon winning the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, he added: "I was screaming my head off in the stable-yard canteen here and everybody has been saying well done to me. It was simply unbelievable.

"No I haven't (spoken to his dad) - I texted him well done, but I'd say he has got that many messages now. It will take him two days to get through them!"

No Trouble - James McAuley claimed No Trouble and third placed Bringsty Eric McNamara claimed Adatorio (9th).

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.