JACK Kennedy continued his march towards a maiden champion jockey title by registering a treble, thereby extending his lead over nearest pursuer Paul Townend to 23.

The Co Kerry native got the rub of the green aboard Sa Fureur (5/2) in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, the first leg of a double for Gordon Elliott.

Owned by Caldwell Construction Ltd, the Walk In The Park bay was left clear by the fall of Hunters Yarn (1/3 favourite) at the final fence, with the Willie Mullins-trained casualty three lengths to the good at the time.

There was a yawning gap of 40-lengths back to runner-up Byker, with Elliott commenting in the aftermath: “He was a fortunate winner. He was going to be a nice second and was running a good race.

“We’ll probably look at one of those rated novice chases or we could step him into a handicap.”

There was nothing fortunate about Pacini’s win in the Hytech EQ Ultra 3yo Maiden Hurdle, with the 5/4 favourite making all and leading home a one-two for Elliott.

A first winner over flights for Poet’s Word, the KTDA Racing-owned bay dominated from flag fall and jumped well throughout, coming home six and a half lengths clear of stable companion Hey Whatever.

“He’s been working well at home and we fancied him the first day, he just got a fright. He jumped a lot better today and he stayed going well. He’s going to win his races,” Elliott enthused.

Three-timer

Kennedy teamed-up with Ted Walsh to complete his near 86/1 three-timer aboard Pictures Of Home in the Tote Always SP Or Better At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.

Settled in mid-division, the Charles Wentworth-owned 10/1 chance took closer order from three out and went second on the run to the next.

Soon ridden to the front, the Gentlewave seven-year-old needed to be kept up to his work all the way to the line, battling gamely to hold off the challenge of well-backed favourite Kiln Time (10/3 from 10s early) by a head.

“Jack won on him at Kilbeggan over three miles and when he was available, I was glad to get him again. I’m not saying he wouldn’t have won with somebody else, but he wouldn’t have won with too many!” Walsh remarked.

“He’s had a few bits of problems but he stays going and might win a three-mile chase.”

REGISTERING his third win of the campaign and a fifth overall, Emancipator claimed the most valuable prize on the programme, the Tote Always SP Or Better At Fairyhouse Handicap Chase.

Trained by Terence O’Brien and owned by a syndicate in his name, the chesnut gelding made gradual progress from five out under John Shinnick and was poised to challenge on the approach to the penultimate fence.

Soon in a share of the lead, the 11/2 shot gained an outright advantage away from the last and showed a willing attitude on the run-in to fend off Positive Thinker (11/4 favourite) by a short-head.

O’Brien, who sold Boulta winner Belliano for £255,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham the previous evening, wasn’t present for the win, with Shinnick stating: “He was very good and game in the end, he needed to be.

“The owners are a great bunch of lads and get some kick out of it. Only for them I wouldn’t have many winners.”

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Chigorin (7/2) also showed stamina in abundance when taking the Lacey´s Plumbing & Heating Maiden Hurdle.

Third on his sole point-to-point start when in the care of Pat Doyle, the Shantou five-year-old again occupied the bronze medal position on his debut for current connections at Naas last month.

After racing mainly in fourth under Rachael Blackmore, the Paul Davies-owned son of Shantou stayed on powerfully away from the last, going on to account for Prince Palace by three and a half lengths.

“We’re delighted with that. He stepped forward nicely from Naas, we thought he wanted three miles and he has proved us right,” Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, divulged.

“He’s an out-and-out stayer and you won’t see the best of him until he goes chasing.”