Navy and orange silks Sean Flanagan wins on Jeff Kidder© Photo Healy Racing
A handicap winner on the level at Bellewstown in August, Jeff Kidder secured his first jumps success in the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
On his third outing at this game, the Noel Meade-trained and Sean Flanagan-ridden youngster headed the market at odds of 6/5.
After he beat Bigz Belief and Sideshift by two and a quarter lengths and three lengths Meade said: “You'd have to say he deserved that. I thought he was going to get done again because he got locked in.
“He handled the ground reasonably well, I was a bit worried he mightn't, but Sean said he did.
“He stays well. I'm sure when he goes back next season on to the Flat there will be races to be won with him over two miles.
“We'll tip along and see where we go next. His jumping needs to improve a little bit.
“Colin Keane loves him even though he's lowly enough rated. He fights for you and jockeys like a horse that keeps trying for you.
“I'm delighted to win with him and hopefully he can win again.”
At the request of the Stewards, E. O'Connell, rider of Flylikeaneagle trained by Eamonn O'Connell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount missed the last four hurdles and hung left.
At the request of the Stewards, D.E. Mullins, rider of Saga Malta (FR), trained by Barry J. Fitzgerald, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran very green, this being her racecourse debut.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Sweet Will ridden by J.M. Moore and trained by Gavin Cromwell.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer's representative concerned. Feidhlim Cunningham, Authorised representative for Gavin Cromwell,trainer, stated that the rider was instructed to take his time early on and get the horse to finish as he had run a very disappointing race on the last occasion at Sligo.
He expressed his satisfaction with the ride as the horse shows nothing in his homework. He confirmed that this horse was a clean sound horse to train.
J.M. Moore, rider, confirmed the instructions and stated that the race developed from the fifth last hurdle and he began to squeeze his mount from that point and kept a hold of his head without getting hard on him as he was concerned about the manner in which the horse had failed to perform at Sligo.
He expressed his satisfaction with his mounts performance as he had run better than previously.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Sweet Will had an overreach on his left fore and furthermore was clinically abnormal.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence and the veterinary report forwarded, the Stewards noted the explanations.
(GC & EM)
