Kennedy patience personified aboard Elliott's Coutach Jack Kennedy rode an extremely patient waiting race on 5/4f Coutach before delivering the Gordon Elliott trained gelding from off the pace to win the Irwin's Bakery Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal. A Perth bumper winner earlier this month, the Paul Byrne owned four-year-old was making his hurdling debut in this contest. Dropped right out from the off, Kennedy was content to look on as Sharing Is Caring and Hobart led the way. Moving closer after jumping three out, Coutach was travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders when less than fluent two out. However, Kennedy remained calm, refusing to ask his mount for maximum effort until coming through to challenge at the last. Getting up close home, the market leader beat Hobart a short head, with Sharing Is Caring a further three-lengths back in third. Gordon Elliott said: "He was very keen in his bumpers early, so that is why we just dropped him in to settle him. "Jack gave him a lovely ride and he didn't have a hard race, so it is great. "We will probably look for a little novice somewhere and see where we go, and we could definitely travel him." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
