Senecia (Phillip Enright) holds off So Scottish (Mark Walsh)© Photo Healy Racing
After looking promising initially things have gone the wrong way for Senecia in recent times. The Lakes Of Killarney Handicap Hurdle today though, saw a lovely pay day for the Halley family with their Ask gelding - he scored under Phillip Enright though lady luck certainly had a role to play.
Enright was doubling his score after winning the opener on St Faz for Edward O'Grady.
Back over hurdles 33/1 chance Senecia was running better than he had been lately in any case but the jackpot was hit for his backers and connections when Willie Mullins' Icare Desbois came to grief at the last.
That Closutton runner was over two lengths in front and looking good going to the final flight when making a mistake and getting rid of Paul Townend.
That left Senecia to eventually hold off So Scottish by a head.
"That was wonderful and we have him since he was a foal. As a three-year-old we failed to sell him and he became a covid carry over so today was a big day," said winning owner, Lar Halley, father of successful handler Vincent.
"We reverted back to this distance, he has a good cruising speed and Philip gave him a great ride. He was near enough at the last (when Icare Desbois exited) and got there so that's the main thing.
"He might go to Galway now and good ground suits him. It has been bottomless during the winter and no matter where we went, there was rain coming.
"Vincent has five horses and we have a small operation. The competition is strong where ever you go and this is great. The last big pot I won was the Fortria Chase with Arctic Skipper."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Encanto Bruno trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Vincent Laurence Halley, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Senecia, placed first, as compared with his last run over hurdles at Thurles on January 21st. Vincent Laurence Halley , Trainer, through his Authorised Represenative stated that todays more favourable ground conditions contributed to the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the content.
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Encanto Bruno, trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly and was pulled up.
(TW & EM)
