Elliott and Kennedy fire in treble with Bally Free Bally Free rallied to winning effect in the Fairyhouse Christmas Party Maiden Hurdle to seal trebles on the card for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. Porthill was all the rage in the market this morning and the 4/5 favourite looked a big threat as he took closer order into the straight. However, he wasn't fluent two out and his effort soon petered out. The race boiled down to Bally Free and Melbourne Shamrock who were always at the head of affairs. Melbourne Shamrock took over from Bally Free on the approach to the straight, but it was still nip and tuck racing to the last. Bally Free was well up for the scrap halfway up the run-in as he rallied to head Melbourne Shamrock and it was then Melbourne Shamrock's turn to fight back. The pair hit the line and it was Bally Free who got the verdict by a head at 10/3 over 12/1 runner-up Melbourne Shamrock with a chasm of 13 lengths back to I Am Lorenzo at 7/2. Elliott said: “He’s a fine big horse. He’s a big staying chaser for next year, that’s what he was bought to be. “He showed a good attitude. He definitely improved from his first run. “I’d say you couldn’t get a race far enough for him. He’s a big, honest, galloping horse.” Elliott and Kennedy were also successful with Jacob's Ladder (10/3) and The Enabler (6/4f). Additional reporting by Gary Carson
