Hey Babbs provides Caoimhe O'Brien with breakthrough win Caoimhe O'Brien, a sister of established conditional Patrick, registered her first track success when guiding Hey Babbs to victory in the WTW Willis Ladies Handicap Hurdle. Starting off in handicap company and with a tongue-trap fitted for the first time, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained five-year-old was returned at 8/1 (from 16s early). Given a patient ride, the Alan Smith-owned daughter of Shantou had plenty to do in sixth from three out, but took closer order on the approach to the next. Ridden in fifth away from that flight, she made further inroads before the last and got to the front early on the run-in, keeping on strongly from there to win by three-and-three-quarters of a length. From 33s early, Fear The Deere (17/2) finished second under Jessica Stokes, while Warm In Gorey (7/2) was three-quarters of a length away in third. Going a strong gallop and taking each other on from early, Knockraha Eagle and Rose Boum (7/4f) both faded in the straight and finished fourth and fifth. "Oh my God, that was unreal," the winning rider enthused. "Patrick (brother) just told me to whack her down the shoulder with the whip and keep tricking away with her. He told me not to go after her until after the second last. "She flew up to the second last, I gave her slap behind the saddle and she just flew, it was unreal. "A big thanks to Dermot and the owner for putting me up on her and trusting me on her. "I knew she'd stay on. Patrick told me that she would keep galloping all day. They've gone quick at the start, but she just stayed going and I actually can't believe I won that. "Just coming over the last hurdle the other horse went out of my view and I was thinking, just keep going, keep going! "I'm just so grateful to Dermot for putting me up on her and to the owner for trusting me on her, it's definitely a day I won't forget. "Patrick is absolutely flying and shed his 7lb here last night. I'm absolutely delighted for him. He has been a big help to me. "I was never actually planning on working in racing, he was the one who got me into it and brought me into Gavin Cromwell's. He was a big help in getting me on the horse today as well so I can't thank him enough for that. "I got a mare (So Ladylike) for point-to-point’s and she was a very good mare who gave me three wins. Ian Donoghue trained her and he was great for teaching me a few things. Big thanks to him as well. "It's been quiet since I sold her on. I got a handful of rides of off Gavin and I learned loads with Gavin, so a big thanks to him as well. "I'd love to give it a go and hopefully I'll get a few more rides now and see where it goes from here." When asked on plans for the night, she added: “Go home and go to bed! No drink for me!"
