'Crock' Villeneuve gains first hurdle win

The Robbie Hennessy trained Hero De Villeneuve made use of a hurdle rating fully 34lbs below his chase rating when gaining a first win over the smaller obstacles, in the Al Aasfa Best Dressed Lady Win A Trip To Meydan Races Dubai Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

Ridden by Andrew Lynch, this summer's three time chase winner readily scored by four lengths from Tico making up for a disappointing effort when beaten 11/8 favourite for his previous handicap hurdle start at Down Royal in May.

Afterwards Hennessy stated “on his mark he was near a certainty but while he has been winning chases in England, they weren't top-class races, more cup races.

“Philip Carberry (jockey and rider of the family's Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity) sent me him over from France but we had to persevere with him as he's had three wind operations, has a bad back and has to have the massage machine every day.

“He's a crock but we seem to have him right now thank God and he has strengthened up nicely.”

“He might go to Perth for a cup race or the Kerry National and he seems to be improving all the time.”

Quotes from Michael Graham