The Dasher Conway

The Dasher Conway ran well for a long way in the two-mile handicap hurdle that opened proceedings at Navan on Sunday. Starting off on the outside of his field, Gillian Callaghan’s horse was keen through the early stages of the race, with the result that he raced prominently in second place behind a decent pace that favourite Dixie Flyer set. Still keen, Keith Donoghue allowed him move up on the outside and into the lead by the time they reached the final flight in the back straight. He settled better once he got to the front, and he was still there over the third last flight. He travelled best of all to the second last, his jumping was good, and he moved on again and was over a length clear on rising to that obstacle. He came under pressure on the run to the last though as his early exertions told, and he was caught by the winner Clarens before the last, and he tired on the run-in, fading to finish fourth.

He ran better than his finishing position suggests though. It was his first run since May, so it was understandable that he was a little keen through the early stages of his race. He handled this good ground well, but he was an impressive winner of his maiden hurdle on heavy ground at Tipperary last May on his last run before Sunday, so he will also be of interest on softer ground. This was just his fourth run, and he has the potential to be significantly better than his new handicap mark of 110, up just 1lb for Sunday’s run.
Navan, 21^st November 2021