Condon off the mark on Chad The veteran Lake Chad defied a big market drift to give Tessa Condon her first winner in the Kilclooney Woods Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel. Philip Fenton’s charge went to post a 25/1 shot in the amateur contest having been 11/2 this morning. He was produced with a well-timed challenge going to the last flight and kept on best on the run-in to post a half-length success over the fast finishing Dark Lieutenant. Condon is from Curraglass, Co Cork. She is a sister of jockey Richie Condon and cousin to retired rider Davy Condon. She said afterwards:- "It's great to get this first winner on the board and I've never felt anything like it. It is brilliant and all credit goes to Philip, who has been nothing but good to me. "I'm delighted to get the win on Lake Chad as well, as he a staple of the yard. "I finished college recently and I am full-time riding out for Philip and others." Trainer Fenton added:- "Tessa is a great girl, has a great interest and it is great to get a winner for both myself and herself. “She rode the horse with patience and certainly has the interest, which is a big help. "The plan had been to go point-to-pointing Lake Chad for both Tessa and another girl to ride, but he wasn't qualified as he had won this year. We switched back to hurdles and it is great that it worked out." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
