Lightkeeper wins opening race on Plate day for Kennedy

Champion jockey Jack Kennedy made a winning start to Galway Plate day as the Gordon Elliott trained Lightkeeper kept on strongly to land the opening Tote.ie Maiden Hurdle at Ballybrit.

Sent off 11/1, the six-year-old gelding was always prominent in the first half dozen, as Where's My Jet led Field A Thistles in the initial stages.

The latter mare took over in front after the third last but was strongly pressed at the next as both Lightkeeper and Uncle Pat closed up.

With Uncle Pat the first to weaken, Lightkeeper headed Field A Thistles on the run to the final flight, as My Great Mate swept around the outside to take second. Arctic Gale kept on from the back of the last to go third on the run-in.

Lightkeeper asserted inside the last 200 yards to stretch clear for a two-and-three-quarter-length win, with Arctic Gale getting up late to take the runner-up spot.

Winning jockey Jack Kennedy said: "It's nice to get off the mark. This lad was good and he did it well. Everyone kept out a bit so I was able to get this lad rolling.

"He takes a bit of winding up. I got a big jump at the second last which probably left me there too soon but he winged the last and galloped to the line."

Gordon Elliott said: “The Barstool Prophets Syndicate includes my father and a bunch of friends from Summerhill and the surrounding area.

“I trained my first winner in Ireland for the same Syndicate many moons ago and they have been with me ever since so it’s great to train a winner for them at Galway.

“He was a bit disappointing so to win in Galway today is great for them and he might be a big chaser down the road.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.