Our Conor ready for Q8 OILS Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown
By keeping his unbeaten hurdles record intact, Our Conor ensured that he would be having a big role to play in the Grade 2, Q8 OILS Juvenile Hurdle, to be hosted by Leopardstown on the Boxing Day.
The 3-year-old made his debut in this sphere last month, when taking a comfortable 8½-length triumph at Navan. D. T. Hughes’ charge displayed an excellent show in the Follow Navan Racecourse Facebook 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
In the hands of Bryan Cooper, he justified his highest odds of 8 to 13, and clinched the victory with ridiculous ease. After chasing the leaders early on, he went second after halfway.
Kept travelling nicely, he led a couple of hurdles before the wire. Although Our Conor was challenged in the final stages, he quickened in an impressive fashion, and extended advantage in the final moments.
After making hurdling debut in good style, the maverick runner continued the great job, and won the Grade 3, Bar One Racing Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle at Fairyhouse at the start of this month.
Under Bryan Cooper, the 8-11 favourite demonstrated an outstanding show, and cruised to an easy 2½-length triumph. Having bagged two comprehensive wins over hurdles, the son of Jeremy is geared up for more glory.
Hughes is pretty confident about Our Conor’s prospects in the big meeting, saying that the bay gelding is in very good form at the moment, adding that Leopardstown’s surface will not be a concern.
"He's in good form and the ground won't cause him any problems. He won well the last day and if he can turn in a similar performance I'll be happy with him. Hopefully he's still improving. I think he'll be a better horse when he gets on a bit of better ground,"
said the County Kildare handler.
On the other hand, the Willie Mullins-trained, Blood Cotil, holds a serious chance, and his stable can do no wrong at the moment. The handler stated ahead of the big battle:
"We were very pleased with his first run for us. I thought it was a very good performance and he has been fine since. We're very much looking forward to him."
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