Woodbrook Boy and Shane Fenelon © Photo Healy Racing
The Mike Lawlee Memorial Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-102) saw 33/1 chance Woodbrook Boy (from 66/1 on the show) make all the running under Shane Fenelon
The Doyen gelding, not seen since a pulled-up effort over hurdles in October but twice a winner over fences last summer, winged the last two flights and kept on well to beat Lost Oscar (5/1) and Rare Conor (7/1) by a length and three quarters and half a length.
It was a change of luck for winning trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon as he explained: "After the last two days I've had, I was nearly giving up. I lost two horses and another at home who broke his knee.
"I didn't want to come here today but walking in today seeing the owners put a smile on my face. Fair dues to everyone who made it happen.
"This horse is owned by a group from Listowel who bought into him a fortnight ago and was entitled to win as he is rated 124 over fences but hadn't run since October. He was 100/1 and 80/1 this morning and I told the owners to back him as he couldn't be out of the first three."
"It was Shane (Fenelon)'s first winner since he turned professional. I advised him to turn and said to him that I had plenty for the summer. He is a right good chap, is with me a while and I said it was time to turn the wheel now and I'm delighted for him."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
