Jeff Kidder has last laugh on doubters

Jeff Kidder (5/1) supplemented his Cheltenham success with victory in the Grade 2 Juvenile at Fairyhouse.

His Fred Winter exertions in Prestbury Park clearly took no toll on him as he gamely saw off 4/7 favourite Teahupoo

The latter led Jeff Kidder over the second last but Sean Flanagan asked Jeff Kidder for more and the response was generous as his mount grabbed the lead jumping the last.

He jumped it slickly while Teahupoo was less than fluent. The leader went on and was pushed out by Flanagan to score by three lengths from the runner-up who lost momentum.

Flanagan said: "He's a very improving type. I'm delighted for him because a lot of people said the Fred Winter was a fluke and I just think it is the change in ground. He's a real strong stayer off the Flat.

"He actually doesn't jump fantastically but he gets from one side to the other and he does it his own way.

"He stuck his head down and galloped all the way to the line. He has actually jumped the last hurdles really well."

Trainer Noel Meade added: “He's improving all the time. We have him a little break at Christmas and I was worried that I had left him off too long.

“Obviously I just did it perfect. We let him in and out for a while and let him enjoy himself.

“I'd say he was very weak last year as a three-year-old and he is starting to get a bit stronger.

“If he ever learns how to jump the whole lot of them he'll be grand, he only jumped half of them.

“If he never does anymore he's done a lot but hopefully he will do more. I can't see any reason why he won't run in Punchestown now.

“The plan was to run on the Flat during the summer. Colin (Keane) said to me last year when you get him over two miles he'll win a Cesarewitch for you.

“Off 68 he should be able to win a Flat race somewhere you'd imagine.

“I'm delighted for the fellas who own him. They've bought a few horses but that's the first one they've had luck with. Eamonn (Scanlon) hasn't been too well so that's a boost for him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson