Restricted licensed trainer Sean Hennessy registered his first winner in the Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Maiden at Fairyhouse today, when Hi Emperor justifying 5/4 favouritism under Fergal Lynch.

The son of Choisir had shown ability in two previous Curragh maidens and put that experience to good use when making his progress along the running rail in the straight, getting his head in front inside the final furlong for a neck win over An Cat Dubh

Hennessy, who is based in Emly, Co Tipperary, later reported “I worked with trainer Tommy Stack for 13 years and have my restricted trainers' license for the past three years. I've had a point to point winner before but this is my first on the racecourse.

“I break young horses and my operation is a real family one - my brother and father are involved and my wife Geraldine owns Hi Emperor.”

He added “Hi Emperor is a big backward horse and hopefully will improve again from that. He's still a big baby and is very green. His run before this suggested he was entitled to win as the form has worked out very well.

“Seven furlongs is probably his trip but he has plenty of boot and we'll not be afraid to drop him back. I was hoping the ground would not be too firm and the rain came at the right time.