Gav & Gun dig deep for Elliott

GUN DIGGER bounced back to form to land the €50,000 TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase for Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott in Leopardstown yesterday.

An eighth winner for 7lb. claimer Gavin Brouder, and second leg of a double for Elliott, the eight-year-old got the better of Scoir Mear, with top-weight and favourite Poker Party back in third spot.

“That’s a nice surprise,” quipped Elliott. “I suppose he had a nice light weight and handled the ground well.”

And he admitted: “It’s the first time I met the young lad (Gavin Brouder). But he gave the horse a good, cheery ride and got him jumping.

“He’s good value for his claim. We might look at something like the Ulster National with this horse now.”

Elliott had initiated his double when Larquebuse (Davy Russell) made all and ploughed through the testing ground to land the opening Anton O’toole Memorial Maiden in convincing style.

Also among the winners was Willie Mullins. The champion trainer saddled favourite Jon Snow (Paul Townend) to win the Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle.

stars on show in Leopardstown today but there are seven winners to be found.

And the Jessica Harrington-trained Discordantly, although tailed off last time, is a hopeful nap choice in the Leopardstown Family Day Beginners Chase,

Back in trip, this looks a good opportunity for the six-year-old, despite the presence of Gordon Elliott’s Dortmund Park, higher rated over hurdles ( he won a Grade 1 ‘novice’ at Punchestown in April

2018) but reportedly hard to train.