Mark Pierrepont learns a little more about Noel Hehir – the man behind Derby finalist Coolavanny Chick
NOEL HEHIR
Noel Hehir may not be a name as familiar to British racegoers as the likes of Liam Dowling, Brendan Matthews, Paul Hennessy to name just a few. In Ireland however, he would be held in the highet esteem by handlers from that elite band.
A dog man’s dog man, who doesn’t crave the lime light, Noel gone about his business at Nottingham over the past six weeks in a quiet yet professional manner with his superstar bitch Coolavanny Chick.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Toms Delight Chick is bred to be every bit as special as she has turned out to be. Prior to arriving in England for her tilt at this year’s Star Sports Bookmakers & ARC English Greyhound Derby, Chick had completed 11 races in Ireland
From a debut win at Tralee in February to include first round success in the first round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.
After finishing runner up in her second round heat Chick, was subsequently eliminated from the competition at the third round stage when finishing in last place behind Clona Blaze.
She was left off the card for three weeks but sparkled when landing a Boylesports sponsored 575 yard open on Irish Derby Final night. Fellow English Derby finalist Ballydoyle Valor finished runner up in this contest and Chick also had Ballymac Anton well beaten off.
This wasn’t just a good bitch, this was a good greyhound capable of mixing it with the elite. But with the English Derby being just two weeks away, Noel hadn’t yet fully committed to travelling over.
He said: “I knew I had a real good bitch on my hands and the thought to come over to Nottingham had crossed my mind.
“But It’s a huge commitment to make though, to be away from home for so long, and obviously with the current travel restrictions. It was a case that if I were to come over, it would have to be for the duration of her time in the competition.
“I really was in two minds and to be honest I was probably swaying towards not traveling. On my way home from Shelbourne however on finals night I received a chance call from Kevin Hennessy.
“I know the Hennessy family well and in fact sold Jaytee Taylor to John Turner through the family. Taylor himself reached the final of the Irish Derby in 2018 and then reached the English semi final here at Nottingham last year.
“He too like Chick is from the Toms Delight line. Anyhow Kevin was actually calling me about the possibility of purchasing another bitch from me.
“I wasn’t interested in selling but Kevin asked what my plans were to be with Chick. He convinced me that I’d be crazy not to head to Nottingham with her.
“He thought the track and trip would be absolutely ideal and that I should without doubt head over.
“I’ve Kevin to thank really as without that call I doubt I’d have been here now. I’d also like to thank Nathan Corden at Nottingham who couldn’t have been more helpful.
“From the moment I rang to book her first trial and all the way through the competition nothing has been too much trouble”.
Having won both of her first two round heats Chick then finished a good runner up to Wolfe in her quarter final.
Heading into the semi final she looked well drawn to at least qualify and she did just that by finishing in third place behind Southwood Jet and Ballydoyle Valor respectively.
It was however a run which had Noel’s phone buzzing with questions as to his bitch’s wellbeing. Heading into the infamous third bend at Nottingham Chick looked suitably placed to finish a solid runner up to the pacesetting Southwood Jet.
At this point however she appeared to lose her stride, stumbling somewhat.
It was a piece of bad luck which could have seen her Derby coming to a premature end.
But despite Ballydoyle Valor claiming the runners up position from her Chick (T6) recovered well enough to stay on for a comfortable enough third place finish despite late attention from the strong running Distant Village.
Noel said:”It’s a puzzle, I can’t really explain it. The weather was obviously bad again at this point in the evening and I can only think she’s lost her footing a little.
“She’s a game bitch though and something like this wouldn’t affect her too much. I’ve had her thoroughly checked over by Darryl Hopper on Monday.
“Darryl is an old friend of mine from his time training greyhounds in Ireland and as a physio there is no better man to have on your side. He’s checked her over each Monday for me after her races and this week has spent no less than 3 hours on her.
“She’s in great form, not a bother on her and we head into the final in great shape. Win or lose there will be no excuses.
“I’d have Wolfe down as the best drawn dog in the race, Valor wouldn’t be the best in the early department and the inside pairing could well take each others ground.
“Our own chance lies in us coming away sharply, getting into a good pitch heading around the turn and then we just have to hope for the best. It’s a quality final but we’re there on merit and she’s in with a chance.
“I see that she’s currently available at 10/1 with the bookmakers, now I’m not saying she’s a certainty but what I would say is if it hadn’t been for the stumble at the third bend she would have been an awful lot closer to Southwood Jet and would likely be heading into the final at no bigger than 5/1. She’s overpriced in my opinion that’s for sure”.
During the duration of the English Derby Noel has been staying at the Alford kennels of the Geelo racing team. Headed by owner Nic Brereton and trainer Carl Perry
Noel said: “Myself and Carl share a mutual friend in Shane Gorman and Shane kindly put us in touch. I can’t thank Nic, Carl and all the team at Geelo kennels enough. Nothing has been too much trouble for any of them and I’d like to give particular thanks to Carl’s staff namely Kay, Sarah, Tara and Daisy.
“I’ve been made to feel as if I’m at home and being away for such a long time that’s been so vitally important to both myself and Chick”.
So what are the plans for Chick going forward?
Noel said: “I’d say that she’ll be due for a well earned rest after the last few months. We’d likely all being well have had one more race on Night Of Stars at Shelbourne but now that the meeting has been called off she’ll probably be put away for the winter.
“I’d be hoping that she might drop into season as with her blood lines and of course her own ability she is most definitely worth a litter.
“Being a lovely size bitch as well of over 30 kilo she has all the attributes needed, at this stage I’m not totally decided upon a stud dog but two that are definitely in consideration would be Ballymac Best and Laughill Blake”.
