Guard of honour greets Cheltenham winners

There was a guard of honour for Cheltenham heroine Rachael Blackmore and hero Jack Kennedy prior to the running of the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles today, with victory in the race going to the Eoin Mahon-partnered Beating The Odds

Yesterday's Gold Cup winning jockey Kennedy had won with his first ride of the day on half-hour earlier hurdle winner Commander Of Fleet and with Blackmore set to ride Ask And Answer both riders walked through a guard of honour as the riders entered the parade ring.

Ask And Answer failed to figure in the race, finishing 10th, with victory in the end going to Beating The Odds, who scored for owner/trainer Willie Austin and amateur jockey Eoin Mahon.

Beating The Odds, an 8yo son of Oscar, had previously gained his first win at Fairyhouse last November and today credited jockey Mahon with a 10th racecourse winner.