Kennedy doubles-up on Hardback Jack Kennedy has had a slow start to the new season by his own high standards, but he registered a brace at Kilbeggan this evening, following on from his win in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe last week. Successful in the third on Osco Mosco, Kennedy doubled-up on Hardback in the Mid Summer Monday 25th June Race Evening Beginners Chase. Second on his racecourse debut over fences at Killarney last month, this Joseph O'Brien trained gelding was expected to go one place better today, and went off the 4/6 favourite (from 10/11 on-course) in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud. Toward the head of affairs throughout, the son of Morozov led from three out and stretched clear before the last, going on to score easily by eighteen lengths. Black Warrior finished second under Phillip Enright for Charles Byrnes at 8/1, while Capital Force (9/4) was another two and three parts of a length back in third. "It was very straight-forward. He jumped and travelled great," said Kennedy. "It probably cut up into a bad race in the end but the horse couldn't have done much more. He did it very well." Kagney (temperature), Pravalaguna (in season), Jaime Sommers (in season) and Shine In Dubai (temperature) were all taken out of this two mile three furlong contest, meaning a field of just eight went to post. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
