Farren Glory and Jack Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
Farren Glory wore down stablemate King Of Kingsfield on the run-in to grab Grade 1 glory in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
Jack Kennedy found himself in a pocket turning for home on the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding but he started to motor into third when getting a clear run after the second last.
The Fame And Glory gelding tackled King Of Kingsfield at the last and knuckled down after an untidy leap to get his head in front in the closing stages for a length-and-a-half success.
The 11/2 winner was following up in his maiden hurdle success at Clonmel last month.
Elliott said:- “In fairness to Jack he picked this lad, he had the choice of all three and I wasn’t sure he was on the right one.
“He’s riding out of his skin. There is only one winning line and he gave him a great ride.
“We knew he stayed well and won over a longer trip the last day.
“This is back where it all started for me. I trained my first Cheltenham Festival winner (Chicago Grey in 2011) for John Earls, a brother of Michael and uncle of Niall who owns this lad.
“They put a lot into racing with their company Easifix. They have been looking for a good one for a while and we found this one thankfully.
“He’s going to have to improve again as I’d say it wasn’t the strongest Grade 1 ever but it is never easy to win them.
“He did everything wrong in Clonmel. We didn’t want to make the running and we had to so we were hopeful with a bit of pace today and he sat in behind the leader.
“I’m not sure where he will go next. Leopardstown might not be the track for him on quick ground and I wouldn’t be shocked if we brought him to England for the Tolworth or the Challow.
“King Of Kingsfield ran a big race. He’s still a maiden and Jordan was kicking himself saying he was in front too soon. He could win a big one and will be short in a maiden hurdle the next day!”
Kennedy told RTE:- “The horse was very good. I loved him when he won in Clonmel and when the entries came out for this he was the one I had my eye on.
“He probably did a lot of things wrong today as well and there is plenty more improvement to come from him so I'm delighted.
“I put myself in there (pocket) probably on purpose really. He can be keen and I really wanted to get him settled, I needed cover on him.
“As soon as I got out I was always happy I was going to get there to be honest.
“My lad missed the last but he stays and Jordan (Gainford's) horse is probably known to be a bit of a weak finisher. I was happy enough it was him in front of me and not something else.”
Paddy Power and Betfair both made the winner a 16/1 shot (from 40/1) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and went the same price (from 33/1) for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
(Additional quotes by Alan Magee)
