Kennoway lands a gamble for O'Connell

Claire O’Connell recorded her first winner in over four years as Kennoway landed a gamble when taking the Munster Handicap Chase under Andrew Lynch.

O’Connell, who trains in Ashbourne, last tasted success on March 15th 2009 when Dara Whyte won a beginners chase at Navan.

That was O’Connell’s first winner as a trainer and one thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine days later she recorded winner number two as Kennoway obliged having been backed from 14/1 this morning and from 8’s into 6’s on-course.

Having his second start in handicap company, the seven-year-old son of Court Cave travelled well entering the straight and hit the front on the run to the last before being driven out to win by four and a quarter lengths. Steady Ed took second at 12/1 under Francis McCurtin for John Joe Walsh while Whosaidso (9/1) kept on take third at further twelve lengths back under Mark Walsh for Denis Cullen.

O'Connell said afterwards: "That’s my second winner, it’s been a while since the first.

"My horses having been running well in point-to-point’s and this fellow had niggly problems but Andrew (Lynch) was happy with him after his last run.

"He is better going right-handed. He isn’t a summer horse but I won’t put him out yet going by the summer we had last year.

"I’m delighted for the owners. Joseph O’Sullivan bred him and he died last December. He was the chairman at Navan Racecourse."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes