JACK KENNEDY ADDED another big prize to his impressive CV as he landed the Thyestes Chase with Monbeg Notorious on Thursday afternoon.
The teenage star guided the 7/2 favourite to an 11-length win in the Gowran Park feature, handing trainer Gordon Elliott a long-awaited first win in the €100,000 handicap.
Noel Meade’s Wounded Warrior (25/1) was second with another Elliott charge, Space Cadet (16/1), beaten by just a head into third.
“It’s great for Jack, for me, Gigginstown and for the horse,” Elliott told AtTheRaces afterwards.
“I think we’ve won nearly all the big staying chases in Ireland now.”
“Any other 18-year-old would kill to be in the position I’m in,” Kennedy said. “I’m very lucky.”
Gowran Park – Thursday’s results
- 12.50 – 1. Scarpeta (13/8 fav) 2. Cartwright (20/1) 3. Whisperinthebreeze (11/4 j2f)
- 13.20 - 1. Wings Like Arion (7/1 cf) 2. Coole Craft (11/1) 3. Ard Na Carraig (8/1)
- 13.50 – 1. Presenting Percy (9/4 jf) 2. Augusta Kate (8/1) 3. Diamond Cauchois (5/1)
- 14.25 - 1. Peace N’ Milan (10/1) 2. Graineyhill (9/4 fav) 3. Goaheadmakemyday (4/1 2f)
- 15.00 - 1. Monbeg Notorious (7/2 fav) 2. Wounded Warrior (25/1) 3. Space Cadet (16/1)
- 15.35 - 1. Montalbano (4/1) 2. De Plotting Shed (10/11 fav) 3. Veneziano Springs (25/1)
- 16.10 - 1. Edene D’Arc (14/1) 2. Young Ted (11/10 fav) 3. Feelin’ Groovy (16/1)
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
Very good read i cant wait for huge Gavin to play for them look’s like all irish side’s have plenty of dept and strength
Murray, you left Shayne Bolton out of your back 3 assessments, probably the most explosive back in the squad, behind Mack, of course!
@Mary Corrigan: Was that him running in tries against Glasgow? looks a tidy player.
@Thesaltyurchin: Yes, it was!
@Mary Corrigan: Hope he can stay healthy!!! Really want this lad to get some luck this season…Pace and Power bottled.
At some stage this season hoping that we have Santi @ FB, Mack and Bolton on the wings!!
That’s a tasty back 3!
I’ve a feeling Ioane is going to be a dud signing. The Chiefs fans I’ve come across online are delighted to be getting rid of him
@5sZl1dX2: Sometimes a player needs a change of scene to recapture his form
Some gems in the Connacht Squad, Gavin, Ioane, Cordero who should make their mark this season.I still feel Connacht is the IRFUs greatest uptapped opportunity for a number of reasons.
Firstly there are quality players at Leinster who wont get much game time, think Scott Penney, Harry Byrne or Rob Rusell. All would be in the mix for a Connacht European match day 23
Secondly the current Connacht squad is particularly week in the front five. Just investing in acquiring 3 international players at SR, LH and Hooker would substantially level up Connacht and make those European away games more winnable for them. Wish the IRFU would allocate a few million more to Connacht and help them move into ERC knock out contenders
@Owen ODonoghue: One thing connacht never lack for are speedy outside backs, so Russell might not get many more games than at Leinster. Penny would at best be 2nd choice at 7 to Moose, who was Connacht’s best player in a strong back row. You’re mostly right about the tight five, but our international locks (Dillane and Thornbury) moved on because Connacht couldn’t afford to hold onto them, especially with RO’G headhunting Dillane.