Ellaway Rose (Ger Fox) chases eventual 2nd The Conker Club over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Young trainer John Kenny passed away suddenly early in the year so it was an understandably emotional win for his father Joe when he sent out Ellaway Rose (10/1) to take the Black Point (Mares) Beginners Chase at Wexford under Ger Fox.
When The Conker Club headed Ellaway Rose before the last, it looked like she'd go and win, but Fox got a quick leap out of the daughter of Beneficial at that final fence and she went on the prevail by three parts of a length. The Conker Club is also by the late Knockhouse Stud stallion, Beneficial.
"She is a lovely mare, so genuine, she always puts her heart into it. John loved her," revealed Tullow-based Kenny.
"It is a very emotional day for us. God wanted him more than he wanted me obviously. He should be here, it's a simple as that.
"Ger rode the last winner for John (Jacks Island), he is a lovely lad and he gave her a great ride. I thought she was going to be beaten but she gave a great jump at the last.
"We train near Tullow. I've four in work at the moment and I'm really pleased with her as I have her mother at home, along with a half-sister and a half-brother by Milan, so it means a lot.
"She tries so hard, she never runs a bad race. The last day the ground was just too heavy for her. She would like it even better than what it was today." (DM & EM)
