Hennessy has high hopes for Donegal

Robbie Hennessy hopes his 200,000 guineas purchase Donegal can this season take high rank among juvenile hurdlers.

Previously trained by Andrew Balding, the three-year-old won a Listed race at Newmarket as well as finishing a cracking second in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

Hennessy said: “I bought Donegal at the Newmarket Sales – he finished second to the St Leger winner Conduit at Goodwood, so he has good Flat form.

“We’ll be hoping now that he might make into a Triumph Hurdle horse.

“We’ll probably start him off at Leopardstown over Christmas, there’s a three-year-old maiden hurdle there.”