Zanahiyr a fifth Galway winner for Gordon Elliott Zanahiyr made all the running under Jack Kennedy, to credit trainer Gordon Elliott with a fifth winner of the festival, when landing the Kinlay Hostel Chase at Galway. With Must Be Obeyed refusing to race, the contest was down to three runners shortly after the off. Kennedy set out his stall early on, while Paul Townend chased on 4/6f Blood Destiny. Jack Gilligan looked on from rear on outsider of the trio, Minella Sergeant. Unfortunately the latter looked to go wrong after jumping the last fence and was quickly pulled up. Kennedy really asked 9/4 chance Zanahiyr for everything at the last two obstacles, with the eight-year-old holding a decisive four-length lead entering the straight. Try as he might, Blood Destiny could never get back into the contest, merely staying on in the closing stages, without ever really threatening. Jack Kennedy reported: “Delighted for the horse. He’s been a great horse, placed in Champion Hurdles and it’s nice for him to get his head in front today. “I was happy enough to tip away in front, I didn’t go mad, and it worked out well. “He was brilliant at the last two in the dip and is better when you are going on with him and not getting in too tight. “It’s been a great week.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
