18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Cape Gentleman's jockey completes Elliott's double

Fri 14th Apr 2023, 18:59

At the last, Jay Jay Zee (left) is about to 'nip' up the innerAt the last, Jay Jay Zee (left) is about to 'nip' up the inner
© Photo Healy Racing

Gordon Elliott followed up Gerri Colombe s Aintree Grade 1 success with a Ballinrobe winner today, as his newcomer Jay Jay Zee (6/1) led home a 1-2 for the trainer in the Tim Kelly Maiden Hurdle.

Jay Jay Zee headed Free Flowing (8/13f) on the inside on the run-in with winning jockey Jody McGarvey's ground-saving manoeuvre proving the difference, defeating stablemate Osssifer Hops by three-parts of a length with Free Flowing finishing third.

McGarvey, who rides Cape Gentleman in tomorrow's Aintree Grand National, reported "I said I'd take a chance and go down the inner turning in - it was a bit tight for room but, lucky enough, it paid off.

“He's only a small horse but the gap was there and, in fairness to him, he was game and stuck his head out and went through it.”

He added “it didn't ride much of a race, we went very steady early on but I was able to get into a nice rhythm, got a nice tow into it and he showed a little turn of foot from the back of the last to the line.”

Regarding Cape Gentleman, the Grade 1-winning jockey added “he has a bit of class and who's to say that with a clear run around he can't be in the shake-up.

“Of the others, Capodanno is a horse I've ridden in the past and I could see him go well."

Quotes from Mark Nunan

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.