There was drama at the final hurdle
Drama unfolded in the opening race at Down Royal on Friday as two Gordon Elliott-trained horses fell at the final hurdle, handing victory to Henry de Bromhead’s Some Song.
The 1/3 favourite Theflyingking, ridden by Jack Kennedy, appeared to have the measure of his stablemate Kazansky, partnered by Sam Ewing, approaching the final hurdle in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle. However, Theflyingking stumbled at the last and brought down Kazansky in the process.
This allowed Some Song, the 7-2 second-favourite who had been trailing the leading pair, to claim victory after clearing the final obstacle cleanly under Darragh O’Keeffe.
De Bromhead commented: “We were fortunate winners, obviously, but he’s a nice horse.
“Darragh (O’Keeffe) said he just got a bit tired after he jumped the third-last and they just quickened away from him.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
“Delighted for (owner) Mike Roden, it’s his first winner and he is one of the owners of the racecourse.
“We said we would come up and give him a run, we didn’t think we would be winning, but there you go – happy days, we are delighted!”
However, Elliott, who has dominated this fixture in recent years, didn’t have to wait long to open his account as Creadan Grace claimed the second race, the Lough Construction Ltd. Handicap Hurdle, at 12/1 under apprentice and conditional jockey James Smith. De Bromhead also claimed the Grade Three Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle with Full Of Life before Elliott secured the feature Listed bottlegreen Hurdle for the fifth consecutive year as 1/4 favourite Casheldale Lad triumphed under Jack Kennedy in the absence of stablemate The Yellow Clay, who was withdrawn.
Elliott said afterwards: “He is (going the right way) and Jack (Kennedy) said he has actually gone so laid-back from a horse that was very keen.
“He said he won with plenty in hand and was actually idling in front. He enjoyed himself, but he wasn’t doing a whole lot in front – he was very idle.
“We’ll get him home and see how he is and we’ll make our mind up. He has entries in them all (including the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown) and we’ll see what we do.”
Elliott also captured the BetVictor Beginners Chase with 4/6 favourite Romeo Coolio, who was guided to victory by Kennedy after several fences were bypassed due to the low sun.
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