Pony racing champion Jack Kennedy opened his account over jumps as Eshtiaal readily landed the odds in the WorkPal Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal.

The 16-year-old Dingle native tasted his first success under rules aboard Funny How on the flat at Cork last Friday, and wasted little time showing his talent in the National Hunt sphere.

A three-time champion on the pony racing circuit where he amassed a total of 221 wins, Kennedy sent the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding to the front before two out and soon put the 2m4f event to bed.

The 4/7 favourite was clear at the final flight and stayed on strongly to score by 11 lengths. Crystal Earth took the runner-up berth, with Definite Soldier nearly five lengths further back in third.

Elliott said, "Jack's a good lad and that's his first winner over hurdles. Eshtiaal is in again over the weekend (at Tramore) and could go again. He is owned by two soccer agents (Will Salthouse and Mark McKay) from England."

(MG & AM)