Elliott & Kennedy win Leopardstown's opener

Tom Weekes

Published at Mar 6, 2022, 14:37

Ballykeel wins, with Gordon Elliott (second from right) watching
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy combined to win Leopardstown's opening Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle today, with the Brendan Scully-owned Ballykeel

Place in two point-to-points, the Presenting-sired gelding stepped forward from a fifth-placing at Naas in January when today out-battling Chiricahua on the run-in, for a length and a quarter success.

Afterwards Elliott reported “he had a nice run the first day and we thought he'd come on a nice bit from it.

“He did it well and he'll jump a fence too in time. He was gutsy as he had every chance to back out of it if he wanted.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1.55

Donohoe Marquees M'dn H'dle €12,500.00 2m 4f

1st

Ballykeel (IRE)

3/1

Tote €4.00 €1.10

2nd

1.25L

Chiricahua (IRE)

10/3

€1.40

3rd

6.5L

Harald Hardrad (IRE)

6/4Fav

€1.10

4th

8.5L

All For Rachel (IRE)

125/1

Full Result

About Tom Weekes

A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.

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