Enduring Love and Joanna Walton negotiate the fourth fence© Photo Healy Racing
Enduring Love sprang a 25/1 surprise in the Ladies Supporting Susan Handicap Steeplechase at Fairyhouse.
This race was run for Susan Leahy who is recovering from serious injury in a gallops accident. Racecourse commentator, Jerry Hannon, aptly said during the race: "Susan, you and your family are very much forefront in our thoughts and racing's family sends its best to you with your recovery." Allduckornodinner gave Emma Sweeney a good spin from the front in this two mile five furlong race but the petrol gauge flickered once the favourite Steer Clear travelled well into the lead before the last.
Steer Clear didn't meet the last fence well, however, and lost momentum upon landing as Enduring Love powered past him.
Aine O'Connor and Steer Clear (11/8f) rallied and kept closing on Joanna Walton and Enduring Love but were a neck down at the winning post. Kayf Thou was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third at 12/1 with Lisa O'Neill doing well to maintain the partnership after he blundered three out.
Philip Rothwell said: “The lads in the weigh room have a lot to answer for! We couldn't get that horse around.
“He ran very well in his handicap chase and he wants winter ground.
“Last year he had two runs, he unseated at the first in Limerick at Christmas when I fancied the life out of him. We went to Wexford on ground that was too good and he slipped on the flat, when running really well.
“He had no luck the last year but we've minded him because he wants soft ground. So we've waited a year-and-a-half with him.
“He's a relatively young horse and hopefully he can go on from there.
“Joanna rode for me in this last year and we were third with Rightback Atya the horse that was second earlier today.
“She did well after he made a mistake. Joanna rides well over a fence and has loads of experience.
“In the ladies' race it's very hard to get a rider so she's my retained one, an unpaid retainer!
“I'm delighted for John (Leckey). We had a winner for him at Naas on Saturday and another winner today so it's great.
“Hopefully this horse might come back here next week.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
