Metal Man (Jack Kennedy) leads Flemings Dream (Rachael Blackmore) and Friary Rock (Phillip Enright) home© Photo Healy Racing
On his second day back from injury Jack Kennedy got on the score-sheet again in the Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Novice Hurdle at Kilbeggan aboard Metal Man
Get Rich Die Plyin supplied the Kerry man with a dream return at Punchestown on Wednesday, after being sidelined for 7 months with a broken femur.
Here with no gallop early, Metal Man was helped when favourite Flemings Dream eventually took the initiative.
That mare was no help to her rider Rachael Blackmore at the business end, looking to hang a bit left, and it was eventually Friary Rock that gave Gordon Elliott’s Metal Man most to do.
At the end Metal Man got the better of Friary Rock and Flemings Dream by a head and a length and a quarter.
“He jumped and travelled great. He stuck at it well and battled well to the line,” said Kennedy.
The Stewards interviewed P.T. Enright, rider of Friary Rock (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that P.T. Enright was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (f), in that he used his whip with excessive force. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards cautioned P.T. Enright on this occasion.
(AM & EM)
