Mossley off mark for Hennessy

Trainer Robbie Hennessy admitted “breathing a sigh of relief” after his father’s Mossley, ridden by Barry Geraghty, proved best in the Premier County Hurdle, holding the late challenge of Marlay Park by three-quarters of a length.

Second to Bobs Worth in the 2011 Neptune at Cheltenham before losing his way over fences and being bought by the Hennessys out of Nicky Henderson’s, the six-year-old was having only his second start for his new trainer, who explained: “I’m delighted with that, after being disappointed in Gowran, when Barry said he badly need the run.

“He’s a hard horse to get fit. And the key to him is keeping him happy. Over fences last year, Barry said he was never enjoying himself. So we’ll stay over hurdles with him. He’ll be hard enough to place, But he’ll probably run in the Lismullin at Navan next (on November 11).”