'He could go the whole way' - Barry Connell backs star 7lb claimer with retainer

The fledgling career of highly touted 7lb claimer Michael O'Sullivan has been given a considerable boost as prominent owner-trainer Barry Connell has announced he will employ the 22-year-old as his new retained rider.

It comes less than a month since O'Sullivan, a former under-21 champion point-to-point rider, joined the professional ranks, with Connell hailing the young talent as "the next superstar" after the pair teamed up for a Grade 3 success with Enniskerry at Roscommon on Monday.

O'Sullivan has already created an excellent impression since switching to conditional status and has struck with five winners in the past fortnight. His 38 professional rides have come for 21 different trainers.

Originally from Lombardstown, County Cork, O'Sullivan is the son of former amateur rider William and the nephew of Cheltenham Festival winner and point-to-point champion handler Eugene O'Sullivan.

Connell said: "I spoke with him after winning bumpers for us on Marine Nationale to see what he was thinking about turning professional. He's 22, has a university degree behind him and brings a wealth of point-to-point experience to the table – he's not your normal amateur coming out of the bumper ranks.

Enniskerry (Michael O'Sullivan) wins the Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase at RoscommonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He hadn't decided on going professional but I said we'd be interested in having him ride all of ours. I'm taking a bit of a punt but it's a long-term view that we'd support him throughout his claim.

"A lot of guys can be popular when claiming 7lb or 5lb, but when they get down to 3lb people can favour using a fully-fledged professional instead. We're doing this because I think he has the ability to go the whole way."

Connell added: "We've got probably the nicest bunch of young horses we've ever had and he's got first call on them all. He's got a great pair of hands and is a pleasure to have around the place. We're delighted that he's come on board. He's tall but can claim off ten stone."

A live chance for O'Sullivan in the Kerry National aboard Hurricane Georgie for Gordon Elliott went astray when the rider's stirrup leather broke just one fence into the contest, but he gained quick compensation when bagging the €100,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle later at the Listowel festival aboard Magnor Glory for Terence O'Brien.

On the link-up with Connell, O'Sullivan said: "It's great. I rode a couple of horses in bumpers for him and now I'm heading into his place riding out. He's been very good to me."

Michael O'Sullivan: recently switched from amateur to professional statusCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Sullivan added: "My family were always involved in point-to-pointing so I had a great upbringing in that sense. I've now finished my degree in Animal Science at University College Dublin and the timing was right to go for it – it made sense to make the move to turn professional."

Unbeaten dual bumper winner Marine Nationale is a general 25-1 chance for both the Supreme and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, and Connell is full of enthusiasm about the five-year-old's potential.

"I've had nice bumper horses over the years but I don't think I've ever had anything like him – he looks exceptional," said Connell.

"He'll make his debut over hurdles in a maiden at Punchestown in the middle of October. He's going to be a Graded horse, the only question is how high can he go. He hasn't come out of second gear in his races yet and looks a natural to jump in his schooling."

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