Hazelhatch Lady jumps rivals ragged before just lasting home

Having put up an exhibition of jumping out in front, Hazelhatch Lady just had enough left to hang on for a well deserved win in the Mongey Communications Handicap Chase at Galway.

Trained by James Fahey, the seven-year-old grey had been highly tried on a couple of occasions after winning twice over hurdles last July and August.

Having failed to get competitive in Grade 3 and Listed races, the mare was pulled up back in handicap class at Wexford on her latest start.

Freshened up since then, the Kevin Sexton partnered mare looked a different proposition here as she jumped from fence to fence.

Kicked clear entering the home straight, she had to work hard to hold the late rally of Likeable Chancer but had enough in reserve to prevail by a head.

“I'm delighted she's won. I was praying for the line to come, we had one yesterday and the line never came for us but we got away with it today,” said James Fahey.

“On her day she's actually a good mare but she has her problems. Top-weight today was a little bit of a worry but on her home-work she's always been good.

“She could throw a spanner in the works the next day but that's just her. She's after winning a bumper, two hurdles and a chase so we'll see what she does after today.

“She was 115 or 116 over hurdles and he'll probably put her up to that over fences now so we'll see where we go.

“She's much better in a smaller field, that's obvious. In a smaller field when she gets her own way in front she's not too bad. Hopefully she can go on again.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.