Kennedy continues championship chase at Naas

Jack Kennedy's Punchestown rides tomorrow will be watched intently as the jockeys' championship leader nears his first century of seasonal wins, having notched his 99th success today on Cleatus Poolaw (11/2) in Naas' I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Kennedy, chasing a first championship, earlier won on Gordon Elliott's Ndaawi and doubled his score on the trainer's Gigginstown House Stud-owned Cleatus Poolaw, which stayed well to beat Nas Na Riogh by eight lengths.

Kennedy's double moved him level with championship-rival Paul Townend for today's Naas fixture but holds a 99-85 lead over the six-time champion. Both ride at Punchestown tomorrow where Kennedy has six rides and Townend three.

Regarding battling Cleatus Poolaw — named after USA's most decorated Native American army veteran, trainer Elliott said “he’s a grand honest horse and probably a chaser in the making. Whatever he does this year will be a bonus.

“He stays well and I’d say it would be no problem for him to step right up to three miles.”

Quotes from Alan Magee