Hazelhatch Lady (noseband) and Derek O'Connor © Photo Healy Racing
Hazelhatch Lady was a 33/1 winner for birthday boy Derek O'Connor in the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Mares Flat Race.
Runner-up in a point-to-point for the rider's brother Paurick, the grey daughter of Doyen had been completely tailed off in two previous starts in bumpers but left that form behind under a patient steer. She made progress from half a mile out and took command early in the straight to beat Slate Grey by four lengths. Bridal Knot was another three and a quarter lengths back in third.
The 6/4 favourite Cnoc Na Si one of two in the race for Willie Mullins, was free early on and weakened tamely before being pulled up entering the straight.
The winner, owned and bred by Frank Reynolds, gave crack amateur O'Connor a winner on his fortieth birthday.
Winning trainer James Fahey, who is based in Stradbally Co. Laois, said: "Her work at home had been very good. We ran her in a Listed bumper first time out because we thought a bit of her but she let us down twice. Today was like a fact finding mission and when the rain came I was disheartened altogether but Derek said she handled it well and thank God everything worked out.
"She is a lovely mare and is growing the whole time. They will have plenty of fun with her over hurdles and fences. Frank breeds a few so it's even more important that she got her bumper win. Frank is a very, very good supporter and has five in with us.
"She was actually entered in the mares maiden hurdle today but when she wasn't getting into it we came for this instead and thank God it worked out. She will tip on over hurdles now. If she stays sound and healthy she will make a lovely mare over fences in time.
"I have thirteen riding out at the moment."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
