Henry's Girl (Joseph O'Brien, dark green) kept Kennady (nearside) at bay© Photo Healy Racing
On Flat start number three Henry's Girl delivered for connections, and for the punters that drove her price in from 5/1 to 7/2, for the Forth & Bargy Maiden at Wexford.
Joseph O'Brien played a waiting game on the former bumper performer and he had to engineer some racing room for his mount as the action hotted up approaching the straight.
Once in the clear John Kiely's runner found plenty, heading Highland Fling inside the last. Kennady didn't quite negotiate the road inside the final furlong, as well as Henry's Girl, and that partly enabled her to hold on by a head.
"She deserved that. She had good form and we thought a lot of her early on but she probably needed a shorter trip," reasoned Kiely.
"It was nice that things worked out for Joseph. He gave her a good ride and she wasn't the easiest. She didn't want to keep going, she knew where the stables were I'd say.
"I think we will keep her on the Flat now for a while. She would like the ground a bit better than it is today too.
"Her owners (the Pollmeier family) are from Dunhill near Tramore and they have been long time patrons. They won the Galway Hurdle with Black Queen back in 1998."
Joseph O'Brien meanwhile stated: "Pat (Smullen) rode her the last day and he told me that she was a very good ride and he was right.
"John (Kiely) just said to put her asleep early on and sneak her into the race and see what happens.
"She was a little bit in my hands but the pace was very slow and I managed to sneak into it at the top of the hill and in fairness she tried. I think there is another day or two in her.
"I'd say a mile and a quarter to a mile and half would be ideal for her."
(DM & EM)
