Minsk bolts up in Ces

John Oxx: Trained the Irish Ces winner

Minsk, trained by John Oxx, easily landed the Hacketts Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on Sunday.

The 4-1 favourite was having just the seventh start of his career and ran out an easy five and a half length winner to complete a hat-trick of handicap wins in the valuable two mile contest.

The three year old had made a winning handicap bow at this venue over a mile and a half in June before following up over the same course and distance last month.

Despite the rise in distance and a handicap mark that was 17lbs higher than for his first win the result was never in doubt as he easily came clear of Cry For The Moon.

Bremen finished in third with top-weight Admiral Barry running a fine race in fourth.

Double Success

It was the first time the winner ran in the colours of Barry Connell, who also enjoyed success with Royal Reveille in a Grade Three hurdle at Limerick.

"I thought the handicapper might have got him. The rise he got after last time seemed plenty," said Oxx, who had a treble on the day.

"It just goes to show you that when they are improving, you don't know where they will end up. He's won well again.

"I had a little doubt about the distance as he won so well over a mile and a half but he travelled well and quickened up.

"Barry (Connell) has a nice horse. It nice to see it turn out well when someone buys one.

"He's due off to a jumps trainer now - Dessie Hughes. He'll head on to a new life in the next few days."