Drakaina with Jeannie Cook and Paul Power© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Paul Power and his fiancee jockey Jeannie Cook combined to win the IWP Home Improvement Centre (Mares) Handicap Hurdle at Limerick today with Drakaina
The daughter of Oscar arrived with her challenge to lead on the run-in and eventually scored a length win over Just Janice
Afterwards Cook, from upstate New York, said “she was a dream ride and travelled and jumped everywhere and it was brilliant. I was very lucky the owners (Paul Hibbard) allowed me to ride her and claim the 7lbs off her today.
“Myself and Paul met at Saratoga when working for trainer Todd Fletcher in 2009. I’ve been living in Waterford for five or six years now and am here to stay and ride in the odd point to point and ladies’ race.
“This is my ninth winner but it’s tough here as all the lady riders are top notch and I do what I can.”
Tramore based Power was understandably delighted with the result and added “she did a great job didn’t she (Jeannie Cook)!
“I was worried about the ground but she seems to be staying better as she gets a bit older and more experience. She’s not overly big so the light weight suited and there weren’t many would do the weight Jeannie did today (9st5lbs) and have a good breakfast this morning!”
Power and Cook had previously teamed up to win with Bakers Street at Bellewstown in August 2016.
