Gordon Elliott's Western Fold beats old stablemate Fil Dor to win American Grand National at Far Hills

Elliott and Kennedy made a successful raid on New Jersey 12 months ago and doubled up as the Grade 1 novice chase winner Western Fold edged out former stablemate Fil Dor who was bidding to follow up last year's victory in the same race when trained by the Irishman.

Western Fold came to lead at the last obstacle and although the grey Fil Dor battled back on the inside of the track throughout the run-in, Kennedy's mount toughed it out to claim top spot by a nose.

Elliott was also responsible for the third home Zanahiyr, while Western Fold was completing a double on the card for the trainer after the promising five-year-old Lizzie Twigg had won the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle.

Speaking to Racing TV from Limerick on Sunday, Kennedy said: "It's great, obviously a bit pot and nice to be winning those type of races. He's been a good horse for his connections so it was great to bring him over there and pick up plenty of prize money.

"He (Fil Dor) ran a cracker as well, probably his best run since he stayed over there, so it was great to see him running well as well."

Regarding the Far Hills experience, he added: "I think around maybe 30,000 people, they're all having picnics out of the back of their cars and things. It's different but a great atmosphere and a great experience. They [the obstacles] would be slightly different, they'd be slightly bigger than a hurdle and smaller than a fence, but they are nice and very inviting for a horse to go down and jump.

"Usually it's very quick over there but the ground was lovely. There was plenty of support over and plenty of support over [from the Elliott yard]. It's not cheap for owners to bring horses over so it's great when they do win and cover expenses."

On Lizzie Twigg, he added: "She was very impressive, jumped and travelled smoothly and put the race to bed easily. She's a nice one as well."

Kennedy went on to confirm that stable stars Romeo Coolio and Brighterdaysahead are approaching their comeback runs, with the form pencilled in for Down Royal later this month.

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