Elliott & Kennedy Strike in opener

Strike Is Back justified her short price when running out a cosy winner of the opening Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.

Jack Kennedy tracked the front-running Born To Size in the two-mile contest before sending the 10/11 favourite to the front two from home.

The Gordon Elliott-trained mare made a slight mistake at the penultimate flight but was pushed out to go clear before the last and was in control on the run-in to score by six lengths from Beginningtogetup

The winner had already been runner-up in maiden hurdles at Limerick and Navan this month.

Kennedy said afterwards:- "She got in a bit deep to the second last but picked up well and jumped the last very well and stayed going.

"She was a small bit keen over further the last day and dropping back to two miles today she travelled away and wasn't doing too much and it suited her lovely."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)