Dual-purpose Matt Connor hits the target again Switching back from hurdles, Matt Connor justified 11/4 favouritism in Gowran Park’s handicap over one mile, one and a-half furlongs. The winner of two of his last three starts over flights, Adrian Sheils six-year-old took full advantage of competing off a Flat mark of 62, having been as high as 85 in his younger days when scoring twice for Henry de Bromhead. Colin Keane brought him from off the pace to lead at the furlong marker and he ran out a one-and three-quarter-length winner from Justenzia. Winning trainer Philip Dempsey said “I’m delighted to get that. He’s on his way to Punchestown, he’s qualified for the Albert Bartlett Series. This race fitted in lovely. “He has plenty of speed, Colin said he wouldn’t want it any further. He was drawn out wide and he let him find his feet. “He’s gone up a good bit now (over hurdles), Keith (Donoghue) made sure to win plenty far on him! Hopefully, there is a bit more improvement in him. “He’s small but he jumps great and he has a great attitude. He loves jumping. “Hopefully he gives us a good day out in Punchestown. It’s a big pot for not an overly-high grade handicap, hopefully he goes there with a chance. “I think he had a pelvic injury a while ago. He’s a box-walker and windsucker, so you have to manage him and get him out of the stable as much as possible. “He’s called after a great footballer, Matt Connor, who was an All-Ireland footballer for Offaly but was badly injured. He was actually in Leopardstown to see him.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
