McConnell doubles-up with Minella Supreme The Download The Tote App INH Flat Race went the way the market suggested, with Minella Supreme completing a double for John McConnell in this five-runner heat. Beaten by just half-a-length at Killarney last month, the Soldier Of Fortune five-year-old was expected to make the breakthrough today and was returned the 4/5 favourite in the colours of the Mandarin Syndicate. Sent straight to the front by Finn Buckley, he was pressed with half-a-mile to go and was soon joined on his outer. Ridden from the two-furlong pole before quickly regaining an outright advantage, he drew clear in the closing stages and came home four-lengths to the good. The outsider of the field at 25/1, Scary Askari filled the runner-up spot under Noel McParlan, while Crossbar Getaway, who drifted from early shows of 10/11 to a starting price of 11/8, was half-a-length back in third. "He has always shown us a nice bit at home," McConnell, who took the fourth with Mrs Mc Go, commented. "I was more worried about tactically it being a messy race and getting beaten that way than getting beaten any other way. Finn gave him a lovely ride, he just kept maintaining the gallop when he got pressed and I think he won with a bit in hand. "There's plenty more left in him. He jumps very well as well so that will be his game eventually. We might go for a winners' bumper or we might go hurdling, we'll see. "He wasn't a dear purchase and we have had a good bit of fun with him already." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
