Percy Warner and Jack Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
The Kennedy brothers were two of the three riders in the Fairyhouse Racing From Home Webpage Hurdle and the luck was with Jack on this occasion as he came out on top aboard Percy Warner after a dramatic conclusion.
Paddy Kennedy led and was soon clear aboard Sizing Pottsie (8/11 into 4/9), and though his jumping wasn’t always without flaw this contest looked his from some way out.
He tired in the straight, though he still appeared in command when falling at the last. Thankfully Sizing Pottsie was eventually to his feet after the nasty spill and was led back by his jockey.
When left with the race between them the Basil Holian-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained Percy Warner (11/4) got the better of Low Sun by half a length.
Galway man Holian has like all greyhound coursing followers seen his sport badly disrupted in recent times. This was a welcome fillip and Percy Warner has been a nice acquisition, making it two from two here in his colours.
“We were probably a lucky winner with the horse falling. I wasn't even watching the leader jumping the last, I was watching the other two,” said Elliott.
“Jack said the leader was tying up very quickly going to the last.
“He said our horse probably needed more runners around him and a more competitive race. He was left in no mans land on his own. He's only had one run on the track.
“He's a grand horse. He was bought to be a chaser and that's what he's going to be. This was a nice race to win.”
The Stewards received a request from Peter Delmer, Authorised representative for W.P. Mullins, trainer of Low Sun (GB), to substitute the nominated rider D.J. Mullins, with P. Townend, after P. Townend's intended mount became a non runner. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the request.
The Stewards, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 196 (v), fined D. J. Mullins €250 for failing to present himself to be weighed out within the time allowed.
(GC & EM)
