Elliott & Kennedy double up with Royal Eagle Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott completed a quick double at Tipperary as Royal Eagle just defied topweight in a thrilling finish to the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding has proved a grand dual-purpose sort for connections and was landing her third hurdle race this year. The 4/1 shot was produced to challenge at the final flight but the front-running Double Pink battled back on the run-in and just a short-head separated the pair at the line. Clarens also kept on well on the run-in a length back in third. Kennedy said, “She’s hardy out. She probably wasn’t in love with the ground but she gives you everything and she tried her heart out. “Her best form is on better ground and it’s not loose ground, it’s kind of tacky. “She’s unbelievably tough and if there were a few more like her around the place it would be great. The lads are getting a great kick out of her.” The Elliott/Kennedy combination also struck in the Grade 3 Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle where Fils D’oudairies came home a distance clear after hot-pot Zarak The Brave was pulled up (clinically abnormal) at halfway.
