The €31,000 store purchase Conman John showcased early talent when finishing third at Dawstown on his debut in May. He showed the benefit of having the summer break to mature as he created a big impression by winning by 20 lengths on just his second start. Racing from the front, he turned the taps on coming away from the third-last fence, from when none of his rivals were ever able to live with him. Not only did he clock a time 14 seconds quicker than the average on the card, but he inflicted his 20-length defeat on previously proven rivals, with the runner-up a £45,000 son of Doyen who had finished second at Portrush, and the third horse and well-backed favourite, who had cost £125,000 as a store, and had only been beaten five lengths in a Dromahane maiden on his debut. This, therefore, has to be considered a performance that ticks all the boxes.