Jake Coen is without a rein on Lady Arwen (left, 7) © Photo Healy Racing
Lady Arwen registered a second success at Limerick today, and a first for new trainer Conor O'Dwyer, landing the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Handicap in somewhat dramatic circumstances.
Ridden by Jake Coen, the 3/1 joint-favourite moved to the front on the inner a furlong-and-a-half out and while her apprentice jockey dropped his left rein a furlong out, kept riding and pushing. Lady Arwen was pressed in the closing stages by Royal Pippen but held on for a half-length win.
Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winning ex-jockey O'Dwyer reported “she looked like she idled so Jake was dead right to keep riding and he kept her going. Losing any momentum would have given the runner-up a chance.”
He added “I'm delighted. I only got her two weeks before her run in the Curragh and it was her owner's (Pat Rohan, from Killaloe) plan to run in the Curragh. I didn't know much about her but she is genuine and lovely to train. Six furlongs at the Curragh was a probably a little short but seven (furlongs) is ideal.
“Thank God we found a winnable race and maybe Galway will be on the horizon now.”
