Commander Of Fleet and Jack Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
Commander Of Fleet came back to something approaching his best to win the See You In October Hurdle at Thurles in the hands of Gold Cup hero Jack Kennedy.
Minella Indo’s rider Kennedy returned fresh and well off his Cheltenham heroics yesterday to win this stamina test for Gigginstown House Stud and Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster.
In first-time cheek-pieces Commander Of Fleet got the better of Blast Of Koeman and Sweet Sting by a length and three parts and a neck.
It was half a length then to odds-on favourite Unexpected Depth in fourth.
"Yesterday was unbelievable and I'm still on cloud nine. The phone nearly blew up - I had close to 300 messages," revealed Kennedy.
"I never really had a moment's worry throughout the race and while he was pulling up on the run-in, it was idleness and he had his ears pricked and when he heard A Plus Tard coming to him he pulled out again.
"Everyone at home was thrilled and it was great."
On Commander Of Fleet Kennedy remarked: "This is a horse with loads of ability and it is nice for him to win that."
The Stewards interviewed Oliver McKiernan, trainer of Unexpected Depth, after his charge wore a hood of incorrect colour for the preliminaries and the trainer had not sought the permission from the Stewards beforehand. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that his charge had become fractious which led him to apply the hood. He stated that he was unaware of his obligations to seek permission from the Stewards beforehand and was unaware of the necessity of a red hood. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action other than to remind the trainer of his obligations under the provisions of Rule 194(f).
(TW & EM)
