Riviere D'etel and Jack Kennedy in full flight© Photo Healy Racing
Riviere D’etel got her chasing career off to a perfect start when making most for an easy win in the Return Of The Jumps Mares Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
The Gordon Elliott-trained filly, successful in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last season and a creditable seventh in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, was sent off the 4/7 favourite here against just six rivals.
Jack Kennedy had her in front soon after the first fence and she put in a fine round of jumping before cruising clear after the last to beat Jeremys Flame by a facile 11 lengths. Highstreet Roller was a further length and a quarter back in third.
Elliott’s assistant Ian ‘Busty’ Amond said, “She jumped great and settled well in front. It was great to kick off like that over fences.
“Jack said he got a great spin and she was as good a leaper as he’s rode over fences.
“Jack said the ground rode safe but I don’t think it will make that much difference to her.
“She settled better than she did last year which was a help.”
