Yenillik and Keith Donoghue© Photo Healy Racing
Yenillik (18/1) gained a timely first win today, enhancing trainer Harry Rogers' recent revival in yard form by landing Wexford's Country Fest Wexford August 7 Handicap Hurdle.
Yenillik, unsuccessful in 22 previous runs, today made the transition to handicap hurdling and while briefly squeezed for room by leader Brogine jumping the last, scored readily under jockey Keith Donoghue.
The six year old runs in the colours of Thomas Cox, Ralph Kelly and Rogers' late wife Mary, who passed away last November, and afterwards the trainer said “the horses are running well and only for Mary wanting me to keep training I'd have packed it in.
“Luckily enough I have a few good owners so we'll keep going for a while and see how things work out.”
Rogers, with ten horses and three winners in as many weeks, added “it wasn't a surprise as we always thought that he wanted three miles. We bought him to go jumping but I think it's fences that he wants. He is a big horse and I know he is by Invincible Spirit but he stays all day.
“When we got him we thought he wanted soft, heavy ground but he doesn't. To me, the ground our there is on the slow side of good and just wants a trip. He will stay at what he is doing but he might go back on the Flat someday over two miles.
“Keith was good on him and is a strong lad.”
Quotes from Donal Murphy
