The happy O'Neill clan after the success of Henrietta's Way© Photo Healy Racing
The Ronnie O’Neill trained Henrietta's Way sprang a 16/1 surprise in the Limerickraces.ie Handicap Hurdle under the trainer's son John.
The 9yo daughter of Stowaway won a bumper at Clonmel in October 2010 but showed little on her first five starts over hurdles.
Running in handicap company for just the second time this afternoon, she made made all and despite her advantage being reduced before the straight, she went on again before the second last and won by five lengths at the line. Jacks Island finished second at 7/1 under Kevin Sexton for John Kenny while Barney Honour (7/1) was a further twelve lengths back in third on his first start for Gordon Elliott. Tillargon was sent off the 11/4 favourite for Tony Mulholland and Rob Jones but he could only manage fifth.
The gamble of the race was the John Joe Walsh trained Whiskey And Rye He was 13/2 this morning with Paddy Powers but went off the 10/3 second favourite.
Ridden by Brian O’Connell he slipped up before the third flight along with Mister First
Winning trainer Ronnie O'Neill said afterwards: "We retired her a year ago and covered her but she didn’t go in foal so we brought her back to give John experience.
"She is a funny old mare and she worked well the other day. She is a different mare once she gets to the front."
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
