After eight brings best out of Falak

Colin Keane got his first winner of 2021 today at Dundalk on the John McConnell-trained Falak.

Formerly trained by Roger Varian in the UK for Al Shaqab Racing, the well-travelled Falak was winning today for McConnell for the first time since joining from Gordon Elliott's yard in 2019.

Falak managed one win for Varian in his last outing in a Class 5 Nottingham handicap in 2017 before re-appearing on this side of the Irish Sea with Gordon Elliott where three wins were achieved, one at Carlisle, befoe another move.

Best after eight would be the most appropriate description following seven runs without a win for McConnell.

However, today at Dundalk Keane got his first winner of 2021 as the McConnell-trained Falak justified strong support in a two-mile contest.

“I wish we could go to Wolverhampton or Newcastle for some more two-mile races as there are not too many of them here," remarked McConnell is a post-race interview with irishracing.com.

“Chasing is another option but there again it would be nice to be able to go to somewhere like Cartmel or Perth,” added McConnell.

It looks like Falak will be on his travels again as soon as the conditions allow.