TREBLE TOP FOR ELLIOTT
GREYHOUNDS
GORDON ELLIOTT made it a historic clean sweep at Fairyhouse yesterday when taking the three Grade One events.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Elliott, whose three winners carried the colours of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.
“To train three Grade One winners in one day is just unbelievable, it’s something you dream about.
“Fairyhouse is one of my local tracks and it seems to be lucky for me.
“All the lads are here from the yard and my father is here. They’ll all be delighted.”
Last season Elliott came close to toppling Willie Mullins reign as the champion trainer for the first time. “That was heartbreaking,” said Elliott. “You get so far with all ® the press and all the hype and then get beat with two days to go. I was gutted, but just to get that close was something special.
“Just to be in the same sentence as Willie Mullins, I’m happy with that.”
Title
Elliott is now 6-4 from 9-4 with Betfair to take this season’s title. Mullins is 8-15 from 1-3.
Mengli Khan set the ball rolling for Elliott when taking the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in the hands of Jack Kennedy.
“He could be a better horse on better ground and is a two-miler which we don’t have too many of,” said Elliott.
“Gigginstown buy big three-mile chasers, but it’s nice to have a few of them as well.”
Jade’s Apple, also ridden by Kennedy, was the star of the treble when defending her crown in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
The even-money favourite was nine lengths too good for eight-time Grade One winner Nichols Canyon and is the 7-4 favourite to win the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham for the second time.
Elliott said: “We’ll give her a bit of a break now. She might go back to Punchestown for a race she got beaten in last February (the Quevega Mares Hurdle).
“The Mares’ Hurdle (at the Cheltenham Festival) is the plan and then Punchestown (Festival). If we mind her we might get a few more years out of her.”
Death Duty, partnered by Davy Russell, completed the hat-trick when extending his unbeaten record over fences to three with an all-the-way success in the Drinmore Chase.