Frontal Assault and Jack Kennedy jump the last to win© Photo Healy Racing
The Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle at Thurles saw a Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy double completed by Frontal Assault (2/1 favourite).
Elliott and Kennedy started the day on the right note with the McNeill’s Escaria Ten in the beginners chase, and it’s Gigginstown House Stud that own Frontal Assault.
He was equipped with first-time cheek-pieces for this stamina test and the Presenting gelding displayed staying power in abundance to make the breakthrough at the seventh attempt.
The five-year-old had no joy in a couple of point-to-points either but he’s on the right track now and Kennedy said: “He’s a big galloper and stays all day but is just lairy enough when he is in front. When something came to him he pulled it out again.
"That was ideal and I couldn't be happier."
Frontal Assault beat Born Patriot by four and three parts of a length having always been to the fore.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Flash De Touzaine (FR), trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a nasal discharge post race.
The Stewards interviewed D.P. Holden, rider of Exit Eleven concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.P. Holden was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency and R10(3)(i) by failing to give his mount at least three strides to respond to the whip. Having taken his previous good record into consideration, the Stewards suspended D.P. Holden for 1 raceday.
S.W. Flanagan, rider of Flash De Touzaine (FR) trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake at the third last hurdle and stopped quickly.
B. Hayes, rider of Buck Rogers trained by Michael J. Bowe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right for the last mile of this race.
Owing to the low elevation of the sun, the Stewards granted permission for hurdle #3 (third last) to be omitted from this race
(TW & EM)
