DOUNIKOS EYING UP NATIONAL
Elliott star returns to peak form
THE Gordon Elliott-trained Dounikos came back to form to land the €100,000 Boylesports Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown yesterday.
The eight-year-old hadn’t been at his best this season but returned to peak form under Davy Russell.
Dounikos, who was among five runners in the race for Elliott, finished strongly from the last fence to defeat the front running Wishmoor by four and a quarter lengths.
“He was just never happy in the Thyestes last time when he fell but before that I thought he ran very well in the Paddy Power at Christmas,” said Elliott.
“He’ll run in either the English or Irish National and General Principle, who ran well in third, could be one for Aintree.
“We’ll see what the weights are like for Aintree when they come out during the week but I’d plan to run plenty there this year.”
Earlier Sinoria staked her claim for Cheltenham with a battling success in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
The Down Royal maiden hurdle winner coped well with a rise in class to come out the right side of a good tussle with Chosen Mate.
The rival edged ahead before the last flight but Rachael Blackmore’s mount came back with a strong rally on the run in to score by three parts of a length.
The talented Josies Orders warmed up for a crack at Cheltenham’s cross country chase with victory in the opener.
The 5/4 favourite produced a typically good round of jumping for Mark Walsh after racing close to the pace to hand out a two lengths beating to Hurricane Darwin.
The maiden hurdle witnessed a nice front running display from Take Revenge who gave Martin Brassil his second winner of the weekend.
Donie Mcinerney made all the running on the 4/1 shot who found plenty after the last to hold the favourite, Discordantly, by two and a half lengths.