Italian Riviera jumps the last under Jack Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
The opening three races at Limerick today have been won by jockey brothers Jack and Paddy Kennedy, with younger sibling Jack completing a double on the Eric McNamara trained Italian Riviera in the Irishinjuredjockey.com Handicap Hurdle.
The son of Champion Sire Galileo was previously a four-time winner on the flat in Britain but was today gaining a first win over jumps, at the 13th attempt.
Following the win McNamara, who has had three wins and two seconds from his last eight runners, stated “he’s not the most genuine horse in the world and we’ve had to be patient with him as he has been a bit disappointing. He has loads of ability but got his head in front today and it was a deserved success.
“He’ll jump a fence too as his forte is his jumping and he’ll go chasing sooner rather than later.”
Jack Kennedy was also riding his first winner for McNamara and the trainer was quick to praise the rider saying “Jack gave him a great ride - he rode him up north the last day and wanted to do a certain thing today. I said I wouldn’t give him one bit of advice today and he got it right!”
Kennedy's earlier win came with Kashmiri Sunset in the opener with both winners sandwiching brother Paddy's win on Msmilan
By Tom Weekes