HENNO’S NOTABLE DOUBLE ON THE TURF
Ian Fortune
It’s fair to say Paul Hennessy has had a mixed week.
He went desperately close to claiming a fifth Irish St Leger crown on Saturday night with Flight Club denied in a photo finish and had to withdraw his hugely talented Lennies Tank from the semi-finals of the Irish Sprint Cup for which he was amongst the favourites.
He also saw Coloursaregreen, Lennies Madge and Lennies Dream run their heart out without success in the Maiden Derby at Shelbourne Park but he did have reason to smile having real success in a different discipline.
It’s been well reported in recent years that Henno is also a very talented man with a thoroughbred. The exploits of his wonderful mare Heaven Help Us saw the equine fraternity really take notice with her winning a bumper, three hurdles and a chase. Of course, her greatest day came at Cheltenham in 2021 when storming up the hill to win the Coral Cup at odds of 33-1.
A DOUBLE TO BE PROUD OF
Well, it seems Paul hasn’t lost his touch with our long-faced friends.
On Saturday, in what was his first start for Hennessy since returning from Emmet Mullins’ stable, Faithful Follower captured a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan for Paul’s long-suffering wife Susan.
Going to the front after the final obstacle, he drew clear to win by a length and a half from the odds-on favourite Astelia. And to make it extra sweet, Faithful Follower was not only trained by Paul, but was also a home bred.
Fast forward to Monday and Hennessy was at it again. This time at Ballinrobe. Ocean Of Mercy was sent off the 6-5 favourite to win the Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle and she would emerge the most straightforward of winners.
Steered by Danny Mullins, she would run out a thirteen-length winner for Hennessy’s longtime friend and ally, John Turner and family.
It seems Paul, despite a few more grey hairs, is still something of a genius with our four-legged friends, be it canine or equine. While the horses are going well, his bread and butter is greyhounds and he has built quite a team.
But it does get us wondering. With all his success with the dogs and horses, he has proven that he can train anything. Why haven’t the Kilkenny hurlers given him the call? It’s been a while since they embraced Liam McCarthy.