Ballyadam justifies favouritism in Royal Bond win

Ballyadam justified 8/15 favouritism to win the first of the three Grade 1 races at Fairyhouse today as the Gordon Elliott trained, Jack Kennedy partnered gelding landed the Baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Kennedy held the son of Fame And Glory up behind the leaders and while he made a mistake at the third flight, quickened to lead after the second last and from there stayed on best for a length and a half win over Cask Mate

Afterwards trainer Elliott stated “Jack (Kennedy) gave him a grand ride, followed the leaders and kept it simple. He said he is still a bit novicey with his jumping and that's only his second ever run over hurdles. He said he'd learn plenty from that and said he won snug and never emptied him completely.

“I'll discuss it with the owners but I'd imagine Christmas at Leopardstown will be the obvious next plan.

Kennedy added “I was delighted with him. He made a couple of mistakes but recovered from them well so he’ll have learned plenty from today.

“It was steadily run and we ended up sprinting down to the second last. My lad has plenty of gears and he kept going well in front. I was always happy that he was doing enough so I didn’t knock him around.”

Paddy Power later cut Ballyadam to 6/1 favourite, from 8/1, for the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham next March while third-placed N'golo which was doing his best work at the end of the two-miles contest, was cut by the same firm to 20/1 (from 33s) for the 2m5f Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Quotes from Alan Magee