Gothen Niece and Michael Hussey battle to the line at Cork© Photo Healy Racing
It may have taken 20 races but Gothen Niece got her head in front in a driving finish to division 2 of the mile and a half handicap at Cork.
Michael Hussey was seen at his best to drive the eight-year-old home. The win took Hussey off the cold jockeys table as he snapped a run of 51 rides without success.
Christy Donoghue trains the mare and he said: “She got a good ride, but we intended to drop her out completely.
“She disappointed at Tipperary last time out and I don’t know why. We have her handicapped over hurdles so she might go for a hurdle.
“Or after today we might go for another mile and a half handicap on the level.”
The finish involved four horses here. Gothen Niece (8/1) won by half a length from Pat Martin’s 3/1 favourite Cinderella Story Jigalo backed from 6/1 to 9/2 in the ring to give jockey Kate McGivern her first winner, was a head away in third, a neck in front of the weakening Princess Tuptin
(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)
