Championship-leader collects in Fairyhouse's opener

Jack Kennedy continued his jockeys' championship quest with a winner on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse today, steering Mollys Mango to land their opening Wishing Everyone A Healthy 2024 Mares Hurdle.

The six-year-old mare was reported to be 'blowing hard and to have a small wound to her right fore pastern' having pulled up on a previous Wexford run in November but returned to form today when easily justifying 2/9 favouritism, beating runner-up Littlebiggie by 17 lengths.

The win moves Kennedy - chasing a first championship, 22 winners clear (87-65) of chasing Paul Townend and following today's race winning trainer Gordon Elliott reported “she was disappointing the last day in Wexford but Jack said she gave him a good feel there today.

“We'll probably come back here in three weeks time for the Solerina (Hurdle) and try and see if we can get a bit of black-type.”

Quotes from Gary Carson