Jack Kennedy enjoyed a winning turn in the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday. It took the intervention of the raceday stewards who promoted Gordon Elliott’s Ndaawi to first place after he had lost out to the Noel Meade-trained Helvic Dream by a shorthead. The latter, ridden by Donagh Meyler, repeatedly lent in on Ndaawi from the final hurdle and after a lengthy enquiry, the placing were reversed. Their decision gave Kennedy his first win in the race on his eighth attempt. He had finished runner-up on Ndaawi a year ago. It was also Gordon Elliott’s breakthrough success in the race. However, Meade indicated in the aftermath of the race that he would be appealing the stewards’ verdict.
Kennedy had ridden his first winner of the Galway Festival as the smart seven-year-old King Of Kingsfield comfortably landed the two and a quarter-mile beginners' chase on Tuesday. In the Gigginstown House Stud colours, the Gordon Elliott-trained 7/2 chance challenged Willie Mullins’s 6/4 favourite My Great Mate after the final fence and led in the straight to win by three and three-parts of a length. Kennedy rode four winners at the festival a year ago.
Kennedy and Gordon Elliott were also back in the winners’ enclosure as 13/2 joint-favourite Winning Smut scored an easy victory in the two and three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle on Saturday. Owned and bred by Denis Reddan, the six-year-old led at the second-last hurdle and scored by two and a quarter lengths from the Tom Mullins-trained 33/1 chance Fascile Mode.
The pair’s winning run continued on the final day of the festival on Sunday where the eight-year-old Zanahiyr won his second race over fences when successful in the two and three-quarter-mile conditions’ chase. The Bective Stud-owned 9/4 chance made all the running to beat Willie Mullins’ 8/11 favourite Blood Destiny and Paul Townend by a very comfortable four lengths.
Upcoming Fixtures
Wexford – Wednesday, August 6 (First race 5pm)
Sligo – Wednesday, August 6 (First race 4.50pm)
Sligo – Thursday, August 7 (First race 5.05pm)
Leopardstown – Thursday, August 7 (First race 5.20pm)
Wexford – Friday, August 8 (First race 5.28pm)
Tipperary – Friday, August 8 (First race 4.40pm)
Curragh – Saturday, August 9 (First race 1.45pm)
Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 9 (First race 5.27pm)
Downpatrick – Sunday, August 10 (First race 2.17pm)
