JOHN McConnell has enjoyed a season to live long in the memory but there was a truly special moment in the offing for the trainer as he supplied his son Cillian (19) with the first winner of his career when Sagittarius Rising landed the Paddy Power Jerry Hannon Appreciation Handicap.

On just the 11th ride of his career Cillian McConnell produced the Rockview Racing-owned 12/1 shot with a superbly timed effort to edge a four-way finish by a neck.