Pacini makes all to complete Elliott/Kennedy brace
Pacini and Jack Kennedy
© Photo Healy Racing
Pacini (5/4f) completed a double for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, as he led home a 1, 2 for Cullentra in the Hytech EQ Ultra 3YO Maiden Hurdle.
A winner on the level in France, the KDTA Racing-owned bay was a disappointing fifth when sent off favourite on his Irish debut at Punchestown last month.
Fourth on his most recent start, the bay victor made all this afternoon and was ridden clear after two out, going on to score easily by six-and-a-half lengths.
Ridden by French rider Baptiste Le Clerc, Hey Whatever (11/2) filled the runner-up spot on her debut over flights, while Green Sky (85/40) was three-quarters of a length back in third.
"It looked like a grand opportunity and he did it well," Elliott, who took the opener with Sa Fureur commented.
"He's been working well at home and we fancied him the first day, he just got a fright. He jumped a lot better there today and he stayed going well. He's going to win his races."
STEWARDS REPORT
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, S.W. Flanagan, rider of Tranquil Sea trained by Paul Nolan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount had jumped poorly on his first two starts over hurdles and also jumped poorly today particularly at the last two hurdles.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson