Our Conor on course for season-defining clash with Hurricane Fly
Making his first appearance since his devastating display in the Triumph Hurdle and carrying Connell’s colours for the first time, the Dessie Hughes-trained four-year-old came home fourth in Sunday’s Woodlands 100 Club October Handicap.
Next up for the four-year-old is a likely clash with dual Champion Hurdle hero Hurricane Fly in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on November 17 and Connell admits that is likely to be a season-defining contest.
Connell said: “It was a good run as he wouldn’t be overly fit for his first run of the year. He was a bit fresh early on and settled then from halfway before getting squeezed for room a couple times.
“Overall we’re very happy with him and he’s on target now and should be match fit for the Morgiana in a month’s time. We’ll know where we stand after that.
“He’s obviously a much better horse over hurdles than he is on the Flat.”
Our Conor is towards the head of the betting for the Champion Hurdle next March, along with Hurricane Fly and Sunday’s hugely-impressive Kempton scorer The New One.
Connell admits it is a strong division this season and he is looking forward to finding out where Our Conor fits in the pecking order.
“I thought The New One was very impressive and I’d say the experience of running against the more experienced horses in the Aintree Hurdle in the spring stood him in good stead,” said the owner.
“It was a good start to the season for him and there are a few good novices coming through, a couple in England and a couple in Ireland.
“It should be exciting.”
Meanwhile, trainer Harry Fry believes stable star Rock On Ruby could be in need of a wind operation following his disappointing performance at Kempton on Sunday.
Winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2012 and runner-up to Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham last season, the eight-year-old was readily swept aside by The New One as both horses made their seasonal returns at the Sunbury track.
Fry said: “Essentially he’s fine, but we have got one or two niggly things to sort out, namely his wind, so all plans are on hold at the moment.
“We were disappointed not to give The New One more of a race. He was very impressive on the day and we’ll have to go back to the drawing board.”
