News hits the headlines again at Kilbeggan Local News made it two from two with a battling success in the Gannon Echo Novice Hurdle at Kilbeggan. The Malinas mare had sprung a massive 100/1 shock on her debut at Cork but was a 5/4 shot in today’s three-miler. Red Or White cut out the running but came back to the field over the third last and was headed over the last by Local News. Richard Hennessy’s mare was followed through by Pets Georgina and had to dig deep, for Alan O’Sullivan, to repel the other mare in the field by a neck. “It’s super, obviously in a small field like that you are worried that it could turn into a tactical affair,” said Hennessy. “She had the least experience in the race so it’s great to see her pull it out like that. She’s such an honest mare and a pleasure to deal with. “We’re very lucky to find a mare like her that’s after winning her first two. “It’s hard enough to place her after winning first time out as there are no mares’ novices. We had to take on the geldings. “We took the chance, going up to three miles today, and it worked out. “It was a great rider from Alan. I was a bit worried when the leader was ahead but he was confident that he had enough horse to catch up at all times. “It seems that she doesn’t mind toughing it out. We’ll regroup now and see where we go next. “After the last day I thought the best thing to do was to go and try to chase a bit of prize-money. I don’t want to over step her and take on mares that are too good yet. “It’s a great day, we came all the way from Cork and it’s good to be coming up here and getting a winner. “She loves good ground, she just seems to really enjoy it.” When asked if Galway could be a target he added:- “The family has a great record there but we’ll just have to see.”
