Matt Connor

Matt Connor ran out an impressive winner of the 10-furlong three-year-olds’ handicap at Fairyhouse last Thursday. Settled nicely by Billy Lee just behind the leaders early on, he moved up easily on the outside as they rounded the home turn. He travelled well into the home straight, he travelled like the most likely winner to the two-furlong marker, and he picked up well when his rider asked him to. He hit the front at the furlong marker, and he kept on nicely to win by a length and a half, leaving the impression that he had more in hand than that.

Well named, after the eponymous legendary Offaly footballer – who was actually present at Fairyhouse on the evening – Henry de Bromhead’s horse had battled on well to win a handicap at Cork in April that has worked out extremely well since, and this was another step forward from that, racing off a 6lb higher mark. The handicapper has given him another 8lb for this, it takes him up to a mark of 85, but there is every chance that he is progressive enough to be even better than an 85-rated performer, and he could be even better stepped up to a mile and a half. He will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Fairyhouse, 1st June 2023