Mart Lane records first win with decisive Listowel success Runner-up on his most recent start, the Barry Connell owned and trained Mart Lane recorded the first win of his career when staying on well to land the Behans Horseshoe Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse Handicap Hurdle at Listowel. Sent off 5/2f under Finian Maguire, the gelding was always prominent just off the main pace setters. Coming through to lead after three out, Mart Lane was pushed along to assert entering the home straight with two to jump. Keeping on strongly from the back of the last, the five-year-old won by four-and-a-half lengths. Barry Connell said: "This is my second winner from three runners this week and we stepped this horse up in trip today, which was the key to him. "I bought him along with a few more with Flat staying pedigrees, as a yearling and while he is out of a Pivotal mare and you'd think he has speed, got done for toe the last day. "We stepped him up in trip today, he jumped great and while he is low-grade at 108, is exciting as I think he can climb the ranks. He might even stay three miles. "This is my second horse named 'Mart Lane' and is the third one in total. It is a lane just off the N11 after leaving Leopardstown racecourse, and was near where Seamus McGrath trained Arc winner Levmoss. "I love the name and the last lad didn't really work out, although he did win a maiden hurdle." (Quotes by Thomas Weekes).
