Gordon’s fabulous four-timer

GORDON Elliott again took the plaudits at his local track yesterday, completing a magnificent four-timer which included a 1-2 in both Grade 2 races on the Navan card.

But it was Our Duke’s return to winning form in Saturday’s Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park which proved the main talking point of a busy weekend.

Last year’s Boylesports Irish Grand National winner bounced back from his recent Irish Gold Cup effort to successfully concede 7lb to RSA Chase favourite Presenting Percy in a cracking renewal of the Red Mills.

A delighted Jessica Harrington confirmed Our Duke on course for the Timico Gold Cup at Cheltenham, along with stablecompanion and reigning champion Sizing John.

And she revealed yesterday that, with stable-jockey Robbie Power committed to Sizing John (and the other Potts runners at the Festival), she has booked Noel Fehilly to ride Our Duke on March 16.

Harrington and Power completed a Red Mills double at Gowran when Forge Meadow, which will stay at home for Fairyhouse and Punchestown over the coming months, outpointed Identity Thief in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

In Navan yesterday, Gordon Elliott saddled the progressive Diamond Cauchois (Davy Russell) to trounce stable-companion Lieutenant Colonel and Bapaume in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle.

The winner (rated 143 yesterday) has made great strides since being bought out of Sue Bramall’s last May, having won off a mark of 119 in Thurles.

“He’s a grand horse and loves that soft ground,” said Elliott. “He’s won two good pots for us now and plans for him will depend on the ground.”

Monbeg Notorious was Elliott’s other Grade 2 winner as Jack Kennedy’s mount outstayed stablecompanion Mossback by a half-length in the Ten Up Novice Chase.

Elliott suggested both horses might head for the Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, if conditions are suitably soft.

Lackaneen Leader, second leg of a double for Davy Russell, in the mares handicap hurdle, and Master Of Tara (Lisa O’neill), in the bumper, were Elliott’s other winners in Navan.

Meanwhile, Espoir D’allen, which lost his unbeaten record over hurdles in the recent Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) in Leopardstown will miss the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge was reported to be “very sick” by Frank Berry (Racing Manager to owner J P Mcmanus) in the wake of his Leopardstown run.

Currently on the easy list, it is hoped the four-year-old might make it back in time for the Punchestown Festival, which starts on April 24.