Lucy Barry's pride as 'tough as boots' Hawthorn Cottage makes experience count

Monday: Kempton

Hawthorn Cottage continues to enrich the career of jockey-turned bloodstock agent Lucy Barry as the eight-year-old mare used her superior chasing experience over her rivals to land the 2m4½f mares’ handicap chase.

Barry purchased the Amy Murphy-trained mare at a Cheltenham sale in December 2017 for owners Melbourne 10 and celebrated her final winner in the saddle when she won at Warwick in May.

An emotional Barry told Racing TV: "I know it’s Kempton on a Monday, but this filly has been a big part of my career. I bought her four years ago and she was an amazing part of my racing career.

"I was a bag of nerves not being in control, it was hard to give someone else the leg-up."

Jack Quinlan was aboard the well-backed 2-1 shot, who had been as big as 10-1 on Sunday evening.

Barry added: "She started off in the betting as an outsider, which I thought was unfair, she’s always thereabouts and I thought she had every chance today. She’s gone and proved that she's tough as boots."

Doddie still great

The Nicky Henderson-trained 13-8 favourite Lily Pedlar struggled to live with Hawthorn Cottage's jumping, blundering through most obstacles on her chase debut before being pulled up by Nico de Boinville.

However, Henderson's other favourite on the card fared better with Doddiethegreat taking the 2m5f novice hurdle under De Boinville to remain unbeaten, following up two wins in bumpers.

Andrews at the double

Bridget Andrews scored a double for her brother-in-law Dan Skelton. Jay Jay Reilly upset 4-9 favourite Midnights Legacy in the 2m novice hurdle before 16-1 shot Rockstar Ronnie secured a first win over fences in the 2m2f handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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