Elliott’s treble and fine

● Trainer ‘schooled’ horse but scored in feature with Veinard

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott had a mixed day at Ayr yesterday, saddling three winners, seeing another horse fall when it looked a winner and landing a £3,000 fine for being adjudged to have schooled a horse in public.

The Elliott bandwagon started rolling in the second race when Galvin, sent off the 30-100 favourite, kept his unbeaten record in the novices’ hurdle for owner Ronnie Bartlett and jockey Davy Russell. This was the fifth successive win for the five year-old who holds entries in three novice hurdle races at the Cheltenham Festival.

It was after this race that the stewards pulled in Elliott’s representative after Braid Hill appeared to have been given a tender ride from jockey Henry Brooke, who was also asked to explain his actions.

In addition to Elliott’s £3,000 fine, Brooke got a 14-day ban and the horse was suspended from racing for 40 days.

The second Elliott winner was Veinard in the feature race, the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Chase. The 2-1 chance stayed on to win by four lengths from 5-4 favourite Zalvados.

The national hunt Flat race, gave Elliott his treble when 7-4 favourite Arion Sky drew six lengths clear of Pink Sheets.

Meanwhile, veteran Harry The Viking is on course for Sunday’s rearranged Bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase at Musselburgh.

Sandy Thomson, who trains the 14-year-old, winner of the Borders National at Kelso last time out, said: “He seems in great form… he doesn’t really like a slog nowadays so hopefully the ground is fine for him.”