IMPROVING EX PATRIOT CAN BE ONE ELL OF A 1ST
ELLMARIE Holden is looking forward to saddling her first ever runner at the Cheltenham Festival when Ex Patriot lines up in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Snapped up for €38,000 after showing useful form on the Flat for Ger Lyons, the son of Elusive Pimpernel made a successful start to his jumping career at Fairyhouse in January.
The four-year-old was only fifth when stepped up to Grade One level in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, but bounced back to form in a Grade Three at Fairyhouse last month.
Ex Patriot passed the post narrowly in front, but was later demoted to second as the Gordon Elliott-trained Dinaria Des Obeaux was awarded the race by the stewards after suffering interference.
Holden said: “He is going to run in the Triumph Hurdle and will be my first Cheltenham Festival runner. Hopefully I will have Jack Kennedy on board.
“He is only a four-year-old and is still learning, but is improving all the time. He is getting more confident and sharper.
“It’s a tough race, but hopefully he runs well.”
Meanwhile trainer Gordon Elliott has revealed that Gold Cup hope Don Poli was ruled out of the festvail due to injury.
The handler said: “Unfortunately Don Poli has picked up an injury and will not make it to this year’s Festival.
“We are all very disappointed as he was in great form and we were really looking forward to him running.”
Despite Don Poli’s withdrawal, owners Gigginstown House Stud still have a leading contender for the Gold Cup in the Elliott-trained Outlander.