Cheers as Hennessy is quickly off the mark

LEADING greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy made a dream start to his career as a racehorse handler when Cheers Buddy, his first runner, got up close home under a power-packed ride by Joseph O’Brien to land the i105-107FM Handicap at Dundalk last night.

Hennessy admitted beforehand: “I’m as nervous as I would be on Derby night,” and, after greeting his winner, commented, “This is unbelievable. I only have three horses in training and never dreamed of winning with my first runner.”

Based near Paulstown, County Kilkenny, Hennessy added: “I got the three horses from Tony Mullins and he’s the man I have to thank most. He put a lot of homework into this and, because he’s only five minutes from me, he lets me use his gallops.”