'He jumped impeccably' - Coming Up Easy spearheads double for Mike O’Connor and Henry de Bromhead

Mike O’Connor made hay at his home track while attention was focused on Fairyhouse, riding a noteworthy double for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

It was spearheaded by Coming Up Easy's front-running success in the featured 2m1f handicap chase, his 13th winner of the season, all for De Bromhead, and 68th overall.

Coming Up Easy was making it two from two in handicap company and scored by two and a half lengths. The 100-30 chance made all and was gamely able to repel 6-4 favourite Jay Pee M.

“He jumped impeccably and he travelled away lovely," said the 23-year-old jockey. "The jump at the last probably helped me. Terence O’Brien’s horse [the runner-up] got a little tight to it. I landed at the back of the last running and he was game. You’d hope there’s more to come from him."

He added: "I’m not sure where connections will aim him next but as long as I get to keep the ride I don't mind!” 

Prohibitive odds of 1-7 may have suggested O'Connor's mount Good N’ Kind was a steering job in the first race, but that was not the case. Although made to work all the way by 125-1 shot Bitofajokelike, they were up to the task and ultimately won by a length and a quarter. 

“I kind of had to work for it,” said O’Connor. “He’s a horse that we thought the trip would bring out improvement in him. I think all he wants to do is jump really. He made a couple of little novicey mistakes towards the finish but as a whole he was very good.”

Of the opportunities presented when there are two meetings in day, he added: "They [secondary meetings] are brilliant, they give me a good leg up. 

"Henry is brilliant to me. He kept his word and he’s given me plenty of chances. Working for Henry is brilliant, it is very easy to get up in the morning. You have to work hard but it’s great to be in a place like that." 

Poignant O’Sullivan winner

Alan O’Sullivan, brother of Michael, who died following a fall at Thurles in February, was a poignant winner of the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase at his family’s local track. 

The amateur rider was successful on Lisleigh Lad, trained by Eleanor Broderick. The race is held in memory of Jack Tyner, son of trainer Robert, who died 14 years ago after a fall in a point-to-point at Dungarvan, County Waterford.

“The O’Sullivans and the Tyners have a bond that we hoped we never would have,” said O’Sullivan. “I never knew Jack, it was that long ago. Obviously, the same has happened to us. 

"We know what they went through and they know what we’re going through. It helps to have people who have gone through the same.”

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