Denis O’Regan gets off the mark for Barry Connell

Denis O’Regan rode his first winner since becoming retained rider to owner Barry Connell when Hurricane Darwin landed the Monty’s Pass beginners Chase in Down Royal yesterday.

A last fence faller, when clear, on his chasing debut in Thurles, the six-year-old travelled strongly for O’Regan before coming through to master front-running Mick Thonic for a convincing six lengths success.

The winning rider suggested: “He’s still a bit green but is learning on the job,” while trainer Alan Fleming added: “He’s done plenty of schooling since his fall and jumped well today. Barry has found a two mile, six furlong ‘winners’ of one for him in Killarney and that’s where he’ll go.”