Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo (2/1) defeated Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios to win Naas' Grade 3 BetVictor Fishery Lane Hurdle today, in a dramatic race which featured another Grade 1 winner Jeff Kidder
Punchestown winner Jeff Kidder had folded as leader Quilixios (6/4f) was joined by Autumn Evening and strong-travelling Teahupoo at the second-last. However Autumn Evening blundered Sean O'Keeffe from the saddle at that obstacle, with Teahupoo skipping clear for a 12 lengths win from his former stablemate Quilixios.
Elliott was absent and Teahupoo's jockey Jack Kennedy later reported “Autumn Evening went at the second last but I felt I had him covered at the time.”
He added “I reluctantly had to go forward early on and I was much happier when Rachael (Blackmore, on Quilixios) went on. He picked him up well, stayed galloping and jumped brilliant.
“I hadn’t ridden him in a race before but he’s obviously after improving from last year and is a lovely horse.”
Teahupoo was introduced at 16/1 with Paddy Power for the 2022 Champion Hurdle.
Quilixios' trainer Henry De Bromhead later expressed some concern about his performance, reporting “Quilixios was hanging right and jumping right which is not him. He didn’t do that at Cheltenham.
“He seemed great coming into the race but it definitely wasn’t him. Obviously it was his first run of the season but the hanging right would be a concern.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
