Kala Conti completes weekend to savour for Elliott

PERFECT HARMONY: Kala Conti and Jack Kennedy, left, win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase from Farfromnowhere. Picture: Healy Racing 

Kala Conti rounded-off a memorable weekend for her trainer Gordon Elliott and stable-jockey Jack Kennedy when making a successful start to her chasing career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase in Cork.

The Robcour-owned five-year-old outpointed Farfromnowhere and 2-7 favourite Jade De Grugy to give Elliott a seventh success of the weekend, completing an across-the-card Sunday double and adding to Saturday’s Punchestown four-timer, plus Wodhooh’s Ascot Hurdle triumph.

Kala Conti powered clear to score by nine and a half lengths, prompting her rider Jack Kennedy (in treble form at Punchestown on Saturday) to comment: “There wasn’t much pace early and she a was a bit in my hands for a while. She jumped brilliantly and got going early in the straight. It took her a while to hit top gear, but she stayed at it well.

“She was very slick over the last three fences and won well. She was a very consistent mare over hurdles and, hopefully, there’s more to come over fences.” 

It was also a weekend to savour for the King brothers, Connor and Daniel, who took the Grade Two Florida Pearl at Punchestown on Saturday with Oscars Brother and followed up with their only other horse currently in training with Connor, Grey Jude, in the Join Racing TV Now With A Free Trial Maiden Hurdle.

The 5-2 shot made all and stayed on to hold favourite Master Haku by a head, confirming recent course and distance form.

Daniel King had sparked a personal double when Minella Academy, backed into 4-5 favourite, won the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy 3-Y-0 Hurdle, being left clear when nearest pursuer I’m All In unshipped Jack Kennedy at the final obstacle.

Owner/trainer John Nallen is using these new academy races as a shop window and declared: “He’s the real deal – he has plenty of class.” 

Willie Mullins, who dominated the John Durkan in Punchestown with Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, initiated an across-the-card double when hurdling debutant Sortudo (Danny Mullins) justified 8-15 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF maiden Hurdle, readily brushing aside market rival Jalon D’oudairies.

“He jumped well all the way, but was idle in front when he missed the second last,” said the winning rider. “He gave me a great feel in the Champion Bumper in Cheltenham and has matured well. He doesn’t lack gears, but going further wouldn’t be out of the question. We’ll see where he fits in.” 

On the mark with Feet Of A Dancer in Punchestown, Paul Nolan was another to taste success at both meetings, hitting the target with handicap debutant Iceberg Theory (Conor Stone-Walsh) in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Chase.

“He was good and brave and got rolling down the straight,” said Stone-Walsh, “It was his first run back, so he should improve. And I’d say three miles is his trip.” 

And, after Nowwhatdoyouthink (Liam Quinlan) put his experience to good use in the restricted beginners’ chase, his trainer Ray Hackett suggested: “He has a big engine, but has to put it all together. He’ll run somewhere at Christmas, maybe in the Tim Duggan Memorial in Limerick — he has plenty of experience for it.”