Spinningayarn made pretty much all of the running in the rated novice hurdle over 2m3f for trainer Gordon Elliott midway through Monday’s programme at Punchestown.
This was a fourth win from six career starts for Robcour-owned six-year-old who appears to be progressing nicely. He won at odds of 2-1 and by six lengths.
Successful jockey Kennedy told Racing TV: “It was fairly straightforward there today. He jumped and done it well and he seems to be going in the right direction. He handled the ground ok without loving it. He probably would prefer slightly better ground. He’s a good, honest horse.”
El Cairos was the one horse people wanted to see at Thurles last midweek. Gordon Elliott’s very smart novice hurdler did not disappoint, but, boy, did he cause a scare at the final flight, almost a replica of when he came to grief on his Irish debut at Leopardstown over Christmas.
He found a leg, however, under Jack Kennedy and won by three lengths at a prohibitive odds-on quote of 1-5.
“The mistake was completely my fault,” Kennedy confessed on Racing TV. “I was disappointed with myself. He’s the kind of horse that would prefer a lead until the last hurdle. I would like to hold onto him a bit longer next time. The gears he shows, he’s impressive.”
El Cairos is rated a 6-1 chance for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Kilcloon trainer Bill McLernon savoured a return to the winners’ enclosure as Mi Lucky Cailin landed the 2m4f handicap hurdle under Jack Kennedy, the jockey landing a race-to-race double.
The 15-2 shot was always handy and asserted between the final two flights to win by six lengths.
McLernon reported on Racing TV afterwards: “She loved the ground there and she is a joy to have around. She’s not done with yet. There’s more scope there with her.”
Trainer Michael O’Callaghan hadn’t had many runners in 2026 before Genoah got him off the mark for 2026 at Dundalk last Friday.
Hopes are high this late-maturing five-year-old can develop into a nice handicapper on the turf later in the season.
Delivered late by Leigh Roche, Genoah got up by a head in the 12f rated race at odds of 3-1.
“All credit to Leigh, it was a peach of a ride,” O’Callaghan said on Racing TV. “There might be some nice races in this lad. He wants nice ground on grass. He’s owned by friends and hopefully we all something to look forward to.”
Five went to post in the Timeless Sash Windows Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday at Leopardstown, a race that was billed as the battle of the mares, the favourite Lossiemouth versus the challenger Brighterdaysahead.
They fought out the finish alright, but it was the latter who proved too strong in the Gigginstown colours for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, winning by over three lengths at 11-4 second favourite.
Supporters of Brighterdaysahead had few worries throughout. She assumed the lead entering the straight and the challenge from Lossiemouth never really eventuated.
Winning jockey Kennedy said: “She didn’t mind the ground. She jumped great. That was the best she ever jumped. I would have liked a lead for longer, she was idling in front, but she did it well.”
“The plan was to go chasing this year. But Michael [O’Leary, owner] put his foot down and said half the season is gone so stick to the hurdles. And he was right,” Elliott explained later.
“She’s the most beautiful horse. All you have to do is look at her.”
O’Leary confirmed on RTE that she would run in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and then go chasing next year.
Jockey Paul Townend reported of Lossiemouth: “I was never comfortable on her. I was surprised I got as close as I did. Everything was hard work.”
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy scored a quick double when Bowensonfire got the better of the race favourite I Started A Joke in the Padel At Leopardstown Golf Launching Spring 2026 Handicap Hurdle. For those with longer memories, this race used to be known as the Irish Sweeps Hurdle.
Trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by British champion jockey Sean Bowen, I Started A Joke remarkably started the 7-4 favourite for such a competitive event. To be fair, there can be no excuses either as he loomed to the lead, looking like the winner approaching the final hurdle.
However, Bowensonfire kept responding to Kennedy’s asking and had nearly two lengths to spare at the line at 10-1.
“Bowensonfire showed guts. He will be one for the County Hurdle where he can be dropped in to come home strong,” Elliott said.
“He’s a bit of a monkey and you have to get him in every bit of trouble you can. He seems to like that.”
Bowensonfire is owned by the UK-based KTDA Syndicate.
