Kennedy back amongst the winners on Chesterville

Chesterville (7/1) was a winner for Jack Kennedy in the opening Crecora (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

The Stowaway gelding, having his first start for Denise Foster, tracked the leaders before coming through to challenge at the last. He winged that flight and ran on to account for the 5/6 favourite Shake Him Up by two and a quarter lengths.

Gold Cup-winning rider Kennedy returned to race-riding last week having had an operation on a troublesome collarbone just after the Punchestown Festival.

"Today is my third day from and is my first winner back,” said Kennedy.

"I had a plate put into my collarbone (in May), it kept cracking so they put a plate in to make it stronger. It feels good at the moment.

"He (Chesterville) was caught a bit flat-footed coming down the hill but picked up well after the second last and went away and did it well. He'll be a fun horse for the summer and will jump a fence as well."

Winning owner Conor Magner added: "Myself and Brian Sheerin, a Racing Post journalist, were looking for a fun horse and saw him in the sales. I rang (previous trainer) Paddy Neville, who'd be a local to me in west Limerick, and he recommended him saying he could do with a change of scenery.

"We bought him privately and a friend of mine, Colm Ryan, did a bit with him at home and sent him to Sneezy's six weeks ago. It's myself and Brian's first winner.

"Listowel would be our Cheltenham so hopefully we can get there at some stage."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes