MICHAEL O’Sullivan has been reaping the rewards of his decision to make the switch to the professional ranks in recent months. The 22-year-old gained his first Grade 1 victory in the Royal Bond Novices’ Hurdle aboard Marine Nationale on Sunday.

The Mallow native only made the switch in September but has made a significant impact in the time since. O’Sullivan was crowned the champion under-21 rider in 2019, and he is now set to be joined in the professional ranks by the 2020 champion Ben Harvey.

“I was hmming and hawing about it, but everyone that I spoke to said that I should go and make the switch,” Harvey explained. “It is a big move but, when you have the likes of John [McConnell] saying that he will support you, it is a bit of a no-brainer when you see how well his yard is going.

“I had never really put a whole lot of thought into it until this year really. I have got going a bit on the track now and it is something that I thought I would like to do but I was 50-50 about what way my weight was going.

“It has levelled off in the past couple of years at a reasonable weight, I am 10st 7lb now most mornings, which is manageable, and that was a big factor.

“I still have the full amount of my 5lb claim left. I said if I was ever going to do it, it needs to be now to make a go of it.”

The 22-year-old has ridden in over 200 races in the pointing fields, amassing 22 winners, a figure he has already bettered on the track in recent times with 26 victories under rules.

“I have learned lots point-to-pointing, it has been a great experience, getting on lots of really nice horses and I think that experience riding those good horses will stand to me when I turn.

“Winning on Bob Olinger was definitely a highlight. Getting to ride a four-year-old for Pat [Doyle] was a bit of pressure as I wasn’t riding that long at the time. To win, and get the feeling that I did off him, that was good. Winning the under-21 title was nice too.

“Pat, David Christie and Brian Hamilton were very good supporters of mine point-to-pointing and I am very grateful for all the support that they gave me.”

Harvey, who will be represented by Gary Cribbin, expects to have his professional licence next week and is another talented rider from this sphere who is sure to make a notable impact inside the rails.