Pray Tell and John Shinnick © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Desmond Kenneally and jockey John Shinnick enjoyed one of the biggest wins of their respective careers as Pray Tell showed an impressive turn of foot to take the Grade 3 Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle at Cork.
A maiden hurdle winner at Kilbeggan in September, the gelding stepped up on that form when easily landing a handicap hurdle at the Listowel festival on his next outing.
Although only third back in handicap company at Punchestown last time, the eight-year-old made the most of that experience against less battle-hardened opponents here.
Held up in mid division, Shinnick moved closer to go third early in the straight, as Sam Ewing took them along on Minella Sixo
Pushed along to go second after two out, Pray Tell showed the superior turn of foot to lead at the final flight before going on to win by two-and-a-half lengths.
As well as training the winner, Desmond Kenneally also owns the son of Ask.
The winning trainer said: "That is brilliant and he never runs a bad race. I was confident coming here and this horse's heart is unbelievable. It is lovely to train a horse like this and to win at my local track is mighty: to win a graded race is unbelievable, as I only train three horses and am farming.
"Training has gone more intense now as years ago, you could run them every second Sunday but it has gone very competitive so you have to have them right on the day.
"This is a good horse who would have been heard of years ago only for injury. Thankfully things have been good for the last two years and if this was another horse, he mightn't be in my yard but I know he is good.
"He's in nearly 12 months so he could do with a little break."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
