Elliott and Kennedy double up with Thehairyfella Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott completed a double on the afternoon at Downpatrick as Thehairyfella just held on in the concluding AJC Group Handicap Chase. The 6/1 chance was prominent throughout and headed narrowly by Jimli’s Cave at the last. The drama really only started from here though as Mike O’Connor had to cope with a slipped saddle and lost his irons on Jimli’s Cave. Thehairyfella edged right under pressure inside the final furlong which left Our Zebo short of room on the rail. The 10/11 favourite finished best of all after being switched left to get a clear run but failed by a head with Jimli’s Cave also staying on gamely just half a length away in third. Kennedy said, "He jumped and travelled great, and probably only did what he had to the whole way to the line. He was kind of just doing enough and nothing was ever really going to get by him. "Nice for Derek (Barry, owner) for him to win. "It is quick ground, and he handled it nicely. He travelled great on it. Hopefully, fingers crossed, there might be another day in him." Kennedy and Elliott were on the mark earlier with 6/5 favourite Jazz De Cotte in a maiden hurdle. Quotes by Michael Graham
