Dylrow scores poignant win for Hennessy

Dylrow landed a gamble to win the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Naas today, arriving from off the pace to win for Robbie Hennessy who trained the gelding for his late father Bill Hennessy, owner of Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity.

Dylrow, backed from 10/1 this morning in to 7/2 favourite, arrived from off the pace under a cool ride from 7lbs claimer Eamonn O’Connell and while the gelding was untidy at the final flight, finished with a rattle to edge a half length win over Cahirconree

Hennessy senior passed away in November and following Dylrow’s rewarding win, his son stated “I’d say he would have had a few quid on him today and he’d have been in first last night at 12/1!”

“The boss (his late father) bought him but he never even got to see him running as he got a leg two weeks after buying him.He didn’t have a bad injury but we gave him plenty of time off and he;s a lovely horse.”

He added “I was sort of kicking myself for telling him to buy him but we knew he had a bit of potential and he’ll make a smashing chaser. We’ll have a look now and see what the handicapper does and if he’s too hard on him we’ll go chasing.

“In fairness to the young lad (Eamonn O’Connell) he gave him a good ride.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson