Hogan and Hassett claim stellar wins at the Dublin Racing Festival

Cloughjordan trainer Denis Hogan has enjoyed a renaissance in fortunes this season, while jockey, Michael Kenneally has rocketed through the ranks since swapping his job as an electrician for taking out a conditional licence at the age of 29 in the autumn.

And the pair combined on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on Sunday to win the opening €100,000 Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy & Maureen Mullins Mares’ Handicap Hurdle with Cousin Kate at odds of 13/2.

It was a first success at the festival for both men and a third triumph on the spin for Liam Mulryan’s progressive five-year-old, bred by former Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle from Augusta Kate, a high-class mare trained by Willie Mullins, whose parents are honoured in this contest annually.

There is more to come on the evidence of the relatively comfortable success, particularly as Cousin Kate took herself to the front on the turn for home, with such a long way still to go on heavy ground.

She never looked likely to be reeled in, however, despite the rally delivered by Eoin Staples that brought the Gavin Cromwell-trained Dameauscottlestown to within three-quarters of a length. Ironically Staples, who himself has had a brilliant campaign, was on board the winner when she scored at Cork at the beginning of January.

The one moment of concern for connections and supporters was when Cousin Kate was very long at the last and just about made it to the other side, losing a bit of momentum as a result, but she picked up again under Kenneally’s urgings and was always holding on.

“We’ve had a great season numerically,” Hogan declared.

“We’ve had winners at every level but we’d had a lot of winners without having a big winner. She’s out of a Grade 1-winning mare by a good sire (Maxios).

“The Mulryan family have had a tough year (with a bereavement) so this is something to keep things going for them. They have been great supporters of mine over the years.

“We’ll see where we’ll go from here. We’ll see what the handicapper does next week but she’ll probably have an entry in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“They’ve done a great job here to find a racing line and to have it on and they have to be thanked for making sure everything is going ahead.”

“It’s a big day and riding winners on a day like this is what you want,” said Kenneally. “She’s progressive, she’s a good mare. She was idling in front and she was going again.”

Hassett over the Moon in nightcap

There was huge drama in Sunday’s concluding Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Los Angeles Irish EBF Mares’ INH Flat Race as Moonverrin, at odds of 20/1 registered a memorable success for Killenaule trainer Martin Hassett and jockey Finny Maguire.

Quite why the Ned Morris-owned five-year-old was so unconsidered by the layers is a mystery, after she had followed a Fairyhouse runner-up debut with a win in Cork and she was produced by Maguire cantering all over her rivals down the home stretch.

Having hit the front though, Moonverrin began to look around and started to wander and Stephen Connor guided the Stuart Crawford-trained Royal Hillsborough up the inner to take it up.

Unfortunately, Connor mistook the fifty yards lollipop for the finish post, while at the same time, Moonverrin responded to having company and got her head back in front by a short head.

The rider of the runner-up reported his error to stewards when returning to weigh in and incurred a 14-day suspension as a result, but it was an unforgettable moment for Hassett.

“It looked like down the back she was struggling but she just devoured the ground and came home like a train,” he said.

“Saying that, she had to battle at the same time. We always knew she was good and I still don’t know how good she is. The way we train them at home, we don’t ever drill them. She’s working with Battle Of Ridgeway, who runs (Monday) and is a good yardstick.”

Tipperary RACING Scene

The extended ten-furlong maiden at Dundalk last Wednesday for older horses went to Nowshesdancing who defied her odds of 18-1 to score on debut and in the style who could have a bright future.

The four-year-old mare is trained by Mark Fahey near Monasterevin and was partnered by Gavin Ryan, back from a successful stint riding in Qatar.

Nowshesdancing was settled off the pace and had to check off heels as she was making her winning run between the final two furlongs. Gathered up again, she stretched to win by a neck from the 13-8 favourite Tyraxes.

All in all, not bad going for a horse that found no takers at just €900 in an online sale last year.

Ado McGuiness began Friday at Dundalk with a bang, reeling off a quickfire double in the first two races.

Una Matata saluted in the claimer in the hands of Fethard apprentice Sam Coen. The 13-8 favourite made up ground from the tail of the field to lead close home and gain a verdict by half a length from second favourite Porsche Lad. The runner-up was later claimed for €9,000 by Pat Murphy.

Joseph O’Brien slotted a quick double of favourites at Dundalk on Friday courtesy of newcomer Handshake in the 3yo mile maiden and Mveve in the fillies’ maiden for 4yos and older.

Handshake was the classiest performer on the whole card. The debutant is owned by prominent German breeders and is entered in the Irish Derby. He won well by over a length, justifying his 6-4 quote.