El Cairos Survives Final Flight Scare at Thurles as Jockey Accepts Responsibility
The Cheltenham Festival hopeful El Cairos encountered yet another dramatic moment at the final hurdle during the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle, but managed to recover swiftly to secure victory. Trained by Gordon Elliott, the chestnut gelding was the overwhelming 1-5 favourite in the race, yet his performance left spectators and backers with hearts in their mouths as he stumbled after the last obstacle.
Jockey Jack Kennedy Takes Full Blame for Near-Mishap
Irish champion jockey Jack Kennedy, who rode El Cairos to victory, was quick to shoulder the blame for the incident. "It was completely my fault," Kennedy admitted in a post-race interview. "I needed to commit to one or the other and I committed to neither. Disappointed in myself for that but thankfully he found a leg today anyway."
Kennedy praised the horse's overall performance, noting that El Cairos jumped brilliantly throughout the race and displayed impressive acceleration down the straight. He also expressed confidence in the horse's ability to handle the pressures of Cheltenham, stating that his best jumping occurs when he is behind other horses, suggesting that experience will not be a significant issue.
Background and Betting Implications
El Cairos, formerly owned and ridden by millionaire businessman David Maxwell, was acquired for £410,000 by Mrs L Rabson and BJM Limited during the Maxwell dispersal sale in October 2025. The purchase followed Maxwell's retirement from amateur riding, with bidder Mouse O’Ryan describing the horse as "the standout of the place" at the time.
Despite the victory, bookmakers have adjusted their odds for El Cairos in the upcoming Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10. William Hill now offers odds of 6-1, reflecting some caution following the Thurles performance. This represents a slight easing from previous betting positions, indicating that while the win was positive, the manner of it has prompted reassessment among oddsmakers.
Previous Incidents and Future Prospects
This is not the first time El Cairos has faced trouble at the final flight. On Boxing Day, the horse stumbled and tripped after the last obstacle at Leopardstown, unseating jockey Jack Kennedy. However, at Thurles, Kennedy managed to stay aboard, and El Cairos crossed the line with a three-length advantage, demonstrating his resilience and talent.
Trainer Gordon Elliott and the connections will now focus on preparing El Cairos for the Cheltenham Festival, where he is expected to compete in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. With his racy style and ability as a two-miler, as noted by O’Ryan, the horse remains a promising contender, albeit one that will need to iron out his final flight issues to succeed at the highest level.
