Elliott and Gilligan run riot at Down Royal
NOT FOR CATCHING: The Henry de Bromhead-trained Echoing Silence and John Gleeson make all in the bumper at Down Royal. Picture: Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan took the St Patrick’s Day honours in style, Elliott completing a superb, across-the-card 1,572-1 six-timer at Down Royal and Wexford while Gilligan registered the first four-timer of his career on Cullentra’s winners at the northern venue.
Placed in two ultra-competitive handicaps this season and in much calmer waters, the Gigginstown-owned Favori De Champdou provided the highlight of the Elliott/Gilligan haul at Down Royal, justifying 5-6 favouritism, against just two rivals, in the Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase.
The 10-year-old took command after the third last to score readily by seven lengths from stablemateJumping Jet, prompting Gilligan to say: “He was entitled to do that and it’s great to get his head in front again — it should do his confidence the world of good.
“The ground was a concern beforehand, but he handled it fine. He’s a top horse for those big handicaps over a trip.”
The Cullentra bandwagon had kicked off when Timmy Tuesday defied top-weight in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier, stretching clear on the run-in to beat Kinbara Firstdraft by six lengths.
“He has a bit of a mind of his own, but he put his best foot forward today,” said Gilligan.
On her second start for the Elliott team, Cher Tara provided the second leg of the four-timer, seeing off Le Bugiste and Ar Nos Na Gaoithe in the Powered By Bluegrass Handicap Hurdle.
The winning rider said: “The nicer ground and the step up to two and a half miles definitely helped her. There should be a bit of fun to be had with her for the summer.”
Lightkeeper provided the final leg of the northern haul, scooting clear to beat Spirit Of Legend convincingly in the Bluegrass Horse Feed Rated Novice Chase.
Meanwhile, Speculatrix and Theflyingking provided a first and last race double for Elliott in Wexford.
A last-flight casualty twice, with both races at her mercy, the Jordan Gainford-ridden Speculatrix enjoyed a change of luck when landing the mares' maiden hurdle at the expense of favourite Magic Day.
“She handles any ground and was entitled to do that,” said Elliott’s representative Ian Amond. “It’s great that she’s won after a few mishaps. She’ll be kept on the go.”
Runner-up in his two previous starts, 6-5 favourite Theflyingking (Harry Swan) rounded off a tremendous day for Elliott when digging deep and staying on stoutly to master Thedeviluno in the bumper.
Henry de Bromhead was also on the mark at both meetings, registering an across-the-card double with favourites Majestic Force and Echoing Silence.
Rachael Blackmore gave Majestic Force a confident ride to land Wexford’s BoyleSports Beginners Chase, beating the Paul Nolan-trained pair Iceberg Theory and Heliko Conti.
“She handled the step up in trip and galloped out well to the line,” said Blackmore. “She jumps well and finds it easy. She’s a lovely mare and there should be plenty of good days ahead with her.”
The De Bromhead double was completed when even-money favourite Echoing Silence made all in the Down Royal bumper, providing compensation for her rider John Gleeson, whose mount, odds-on favourite Walk On The Beach, lost the opening maiden hurdle in the stewards' room, losing out to Gavin Cromwell’s Glenashling (Conor Stone-Walsh).
Back in Wexford, Pat Flynn declared: “It’s been a good day at the office – I could get use to this,” after saddling a double with 22-1 shot Duke Otto (Gary Noonan), narrow winner of the Micheal O Murchadha Handicap Hurdle and Bite That (Alex Harvey) in the Racing Again Friday 4th April Handicap Chase.
