Fenton backs Elliott to ride out photo disgrace

GORDON ELLIOTT must stay positive and lean on family and friends to help ride out the storm of controversy which has engulfed him, according to fellow trainer Philip Fenton.

As Elliott starts a six-month suspension from training on Tuesday, Fenton, who came through a similar experience after his own ban in 2014, believes Elliott will come back stronger when he resumes his career in September. ‘Gordon has a great team around him and I’m sure he’ll deal with it in the best possible way. He’s a strong chap, and a very talented man,’ he said.

Elliott came under fire after posing for a photo on a dead horse, which led to his suspension on Friday by Irish racing chiefs for bringing racing into disrepute.

Fenton has a handle on what Elliott will be going through as he was saddled with his own sanction seven years ago.

‘You deal with it as best you can. Having people around you being positive is a great help,’ he said.

Just as Fenton has shown a career can be rebuilt after setbacks, he believes that

Elliott will ride again as a top trainer in the sport.

‘Gordon is massive talent, he gets the best out of every horse. His horses are always immaculate. You always admire a Gordon Elliot horse,’ said Fenton.

When Fenton was found guilty of being in possession of anabolic steroids at his