Close Relation To Jezki Enjoys Maiden Hurdle Success

The well-bred Jelona (5m Milan - Jeree, by Flemensfirth) showed an admirable attitude when taking the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday afternoon.

Gerard McGrath’s homebred bay is closely related to the top-class Jezki (Milan) and had shown earlier promise in bumpers, while she finished fifth on her hurdle debut last month. Paddy Kennedy took the ride on Thursday and raced prominently throughout, asking the Jessica Harrington-trained mare to challenge approaching the final flight. Hampered at the last, she stayed on well to lead close home and denied the favourite Trevena by half a length on the line.

Jelona becomes the first winner out of Jeree (Flemensfirth), an unraced full-sister to dual Graded chase winner Jett (Flemensfirth) and a half-sister to the aforementioned superstar Jezki (Milan), ill-fated Grade 2 winner Jenari (Milan) and Grade 1 victor Jetson (Oscar).