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Hiaou scores for Elliott & Kennedy

Hiaou (left) with GovenHiaou (left) with Goven
© Photo Healy Racing

Hiaou showed a game attitude and staying qualities in winning Punchestown's 20% Off Festival Tickets Maiden Hurdle (div I) today, rallying on the run-in to beat runner-up Goven which had matched at 1.03 in-running.

Ridden by Jack Kennedy, French-bred Hiaou was narrowly headed by Goven approaching the final flight and while Goven appeared set to score on the run-in, Hiaou battled well to edge ahead close home, for a three parts of a length win.

Following the race winning trainer Gordon Elliott reported “he did everything wrong and Jack said he needed a better gallop. The one thing I like about him is he’s gutsy and he couldn’t pull him up after the line.

“He’s still a big weak horse and I’d say we could step him out in trip. He’ll have a few more runs this year and he could be on the Cheltenham team.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
11/8Fav
Tote €2.50 €1.10
2nd
0.75L
3/1
€1.40
3rd
8L
6/4
€1.10
4th
17L
22/1
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.