Alex Belardo makes it a 51/1 double for O'Connor Donagh O’Connor completed a quickfire double in the finale at Down Royal as Alex Belardo got up in the final strides to take the Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap. Lady Kelly set the pace in this seven-furlong event and looked set to make it an across the card four-timer on the evening for trainer Johnny Murtagh. However, she ran out of steam in the closing stages as O’Connor drove Alex Belardo to the front to score by half a length at odds of 12/1. Toy Soldier touched off Lady Kelly for the runner-up spot. Winning trainer John McConnell said, “I thought he had a chance. He was a bit unlucky the last day in Wolverhampton and has been very consistent. "He acts on softer ground and he likes it here. "He was tough there today. He's actually getting more genuine as he gets older! "He's not a world-beater, but he's pretty consistent. I'd love a few more like him to be honest." O’Connor was also on the mark half-an-hour earlier aboard Treasure Rose (3/1fav). Quotes by Michael Graham
