Ballykeel wins Perth Gold Cup to complete a one-two for Elliott

Ballykeel led home stablemate Definite Plan to complete a one-two for trainer Gordon Elliott in the £25,000 bet365 Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup.

Returned11-4joint-favourite, Ballykeel was also the third leg of a fabulous 103-1 four-timer for the Irish handler and winning jockey Sean Bowen.

“I was always confident of catching Definite Plan all the way up the home straight and it’s a nice prize to win,” Bowen said. “He was beaten when falling in Ireland last time, but he’s jumped very well today.”

Afterhisfour-timer,bowenis the current clear leader in the 2023-24 jockeys’ championship with 28 winners.

Walking The Walk, the second strike for Elliott and Bowen, impressed by six-and-ahalf lengths in the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Chase. Bowen said: “It’s the first time I’ve ridden him and he was a good second over hurdles last time. He’s not straightforward, but I crept away and he’s picked up well and gone nicely clear.”

Rebecca Menzies-trained Russian Virtue took the Coretrax Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Nathan Moscrop.

“He had a good season with three wins last time,” said the jockey, who has been on board for all four strikes now. “He ran well on quicker ground last time at Kelso, but all his winshavecomewithsoftinthe description,evenifitmakeshis jumping a little stickier.”

Meanwhile, Painite could book her slot on Amo Racing’s Royal Ascot teamsheet by taking the GSI Fire Protection British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Windsor today.

Trained by Richard Hannon, the daughter of Eqtidaar was pitched in against the colts on debutatnottinghamandcame out of it shaping like the best horse in the race, despite a lack of experience perhaps costing her top spot. The £120,000 breeze-upbuywasbeatenhalfa-lengthbyafairoperatorfrom Clivecox’sstableandconsidering that handler’s proficiency with juvenile stock, there is no disgrace in finishing second.

She produced some great late work once the penny dropped at Colwick Park and backamongherownsex,could prove a tough nut to crack.