Get in! Remarkable Cheltenham success for county Kilkenny trainer

A horse trained and bred in a small stable in county Kilkenny shocked the racing world when romping home in the Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Racing Festival.

Paul Hennessy based out in Gowran and more known for his exploits as a greyhound trainer, has worked his magic on those bigger beasts now, leading Heaven Help Us to the winner’s enclosure.

Priced at a very tidy 33/1, Heaven Help Us ran away from a marauding field in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle in what some are calling the performance of the week, winning by nine lengths over the field.

Jockey Robbie Condon put Heaven Help Us to the front from the off and stayed there, a tribute to the pairs tactic and confidence in the horse.

More pleasing for Paul Hennessy, who has won Irish and English Greyhound Derbies, was bred in Hennessy’s yard in Garryduff, Gowran near the county Kilkenny track.

Just minutes later, another horse bred just a few fields away out in Gowran went on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Put The Kettle On (17/2), trained by Henry De Bromhead in Count Waterford, beat highly faniced Chacun Pour Soi.

It was the fourth festival win for the mare, after winning the Arkle and the Arkle Trial prior to this win.

Joseph O’Brien’s Entoucas was very unlucky to finish runner-up in the Grand Annual Challnege, with Sky Pirate just hanging on.