Five odds-on shots beaten as Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy fire in 259-1 four-timer

With four short-priced favourites across the eight races it looked like Willie Mullins and Paul Townend would dominate the card, but it was Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy who bagged a remarkable four-timer on a day when five odds-on shots were beaten.

Kala Conti was impressive when taking Grade 2 honours in the mares' novice chase at 11-4 as she easily saw off 5-6 chance Kargese to give owners Robcour a double on the day.

A course scorer over further on her chasing debut, the four-time hurdles winner made it two from two over fences with a wide-margin victory over Kargese, who appeared to have few excuses back in second having jumped adequately overall.

“It was a good performance,” said Elliott. “This wasn’t really the plan. It was kind of an afterthought after she won here on her debut. We thought we had to take a chance to get black type, but she showed a good attitude.”

Kala Conti formed the third leg of a remarkable Cullentra four-timerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kennedy had earlier partnered Lord Rouge to victory in division one of the 2m1f maiden hurdle, getting the better of 8-11 favourite Dani Donadoni. One had to admire Kennedy's fearlessness as he fired his mount into the final flight, having taken a fall doing the very same thing just an hour earlier when leading aboard fellow Cullentra-trained runner Manoir De Mirande in the 2m1f juvenile hurdle.

Lord Rouge answered his partner's call in spades to repel the Willie Mullins-trained favourite by a length and three-quarters at odds of 100-30. The front two looked thorough stayers as they powered through the mud to pull well clear of the chasing pack.

Lord Rouge comes clear of Dana Donadoni in the 2m1f maiden hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“I’d say the conditions suited him, but there will be plenty of improvement to come,” Elliott said of Lord Rouge. 

While the final hurdle proved a menace for Kennedy and Elliott in the opener, it came to their aid in division two of the 2m1f maiden hurdle. 

Kazansky appeared to be keeping on in vain as Le Labo kicked clear coming to the last under John Gleeson, but the leader knuckled at the back of the final flight to leave the way clear for Kennedy's mount to score at 3-1.

Elliott said: “The horse in front looked like he was gone, but it happened to us in the first. We had luck on our side, but he’s a galloper and stays well.”

Masterful Meyler

While all his rivals stuck to the outside in search of better ground in the Grade 3 Joe Buckley Construction Stayers Novice Hurdle, Donagh Meyler kept it simple on Good Girl Kathleen by going the shortest route on the inside. 

The tactic paid off handsomely as the Emmet Mullins-trained five-year-old came home in splendid isolation at 7-2. In a rare reverse for Elliott and Kennedy, the 11-10 favourite Kalypso’chance was disappointing.

Connections of Cork winner Good Girl KathleenCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins said: “Donagh is riding great this season. He had mentioned it [sticking to the inner] beforehand, and I said if halfway round you’re not happy you can change your mind. It all worked out. She's a nice filly and is progressive.”

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