Elliott’s fairytale treble

• Trainer Gordon elliott yesterday rewrote the record books when Mengli Khan, apple’s Jade and Death Duty combined to land all three Grade One races for owners Gigginstown on a sparkling card at Fairyhouse.

The Co Meath handler (below) became the first trainer in the history of the prestigious meeting to land all three top-level races when Death Duty completed an impressive success under Davy russell in the Drinmore novice Chase. elliott earlier witnessed crack novice Mengli Khan make short work of his rivals under Jack Kennedy in the royal Bond novice Hurdle before apple’s Jade ground the returning Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle winner nichols Canyon into submission to land her second successive Hatton’s Grade Hurdle by nine lengths. Boylesports cut five- year- old apple’s Jade to evens (from 2-1) for the OLBG Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, a race which she won last year. elliott said: ‘She is stronger and better and the mares’ race will be her target.’ espoir D’allen was another to enhance his Cheltenham credentials with a stylish win in the Bar One racing Juvenile Hurdle.