Few who were at Monksgrange in late April to witness the debut of The Con Man could have found fault with the performance that he produced on route to a facile success. All the vibes entering the race were positive, as the well-bred son of Oscar, who was a costly purchase as a store at €50,000, was well-backed into odds-on favouritism in a race which contained some previously proven sorts. That market confidence was justified, as the eye-filling debutant jumped with particular zest through the early stages bringing himself to take a share of the lead just after the midway point. Having always travelled with real purpose, the confidence that his rider Barry O’Neill had was clearly evident in the home straight as he sat motionless, in contrast to his rivals who were hard at work aboard the two main dangers in the race – Cragmore runner-up Old Rascals, and Classic Escape, a horse who has offered plenty of encouragement on a number of occasions prior to falling. Only ever having to be shaken up after the last, The Con Man ran out a six-length winner, but is value for considerably further. He would have to be considered very much an above average winner.