Mary's Pride and Liam McKenna (right) tackle Steppenwolf © Photo Healy Racing
Mary's Pride came with a well-timed run, under Liam McKenna, to claim the Kevin Sheehy Bowel Cancer Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Eddie Cawley-trained gelding had been well held on his handicap debut at Thurles last time but stepped up considerably to land the spoils today.
The 11/1 shot (20/1 in morning) came to claim front-runner Steppenwolf on the run-in and record a length victory in the two-miler.
“We bought him with the intentions of winning a lot earlier but it didn't materialise for us,” said Cawley.
“He had a few problems along the way. We've done a lot of schooling and a lot of work with him to get him physically right.
“He jumped well the last day. In Thurles the last day it was his first day back and he went to chase the winner and the bubble burst before the second last, he sort of blew up.
“The last ten days has been a disaster trying to get horses out and we were just hoping he was half straight to come here.
“I was hoping coming here that he'd get placed at least. I might come back here on New Year's Day with him. I have him in over Christmas but it doesn't mean I'll run him, I like giving them a bit of time if I can.”
