GORDON Elliott and Danny Gilligan dominated the St Patrick’s Day card at Down Royal, with a four-timer that paid almost 190/1.

It was a first quad for Gilligan, who had enjoyed two winners at the Cheltenham Festival the previous week aboard Jazzy Matty for Cian Collins and Wodhooh for Elliott.

Elliott and Gilligan began their winning spree with Timmy Tuesday in the second race - the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series, a Punchestown Festival 2025 Qualifier Novice Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The top-weight delivered his challenge after three out and got on terms before the next. The 9/4 favourite took over before the final flight and ran away from his rivals on the run-in to score by six lengths for owners David Barnard, Nick Courtney and Cillian Moran.

Gilligan said: “He has a little bit of a mind of his own, but he put his best foot forward today and he didn’t do a whole pile wrong. He had plenty of weight on his back, but he put in a lovely round of jumping.

“Probably just a bit lonesome from the back of the last and I let him drift over to the stands’ side rail, and he put it to bed easy enough.”

Second time lucky

Next up was Cher Tara (7/1) in the Powered By Bluegrass Handicap Hurdle over the same trip. The six-year-old mare was making her second start for Elliott, having raced seven times in Britain for Dan Skelton.

She raced in mid-division and was ridden into contention before the penultimate flight. She soon came through to dispute the lead and led narrowly before the last.

Gilligan sent her on by a length and a quarter on the run-in for owner James W Power.

Gilligan said: “She did relish that nicer ground and I think the step up in trip was even more important.

“There will be plenty of races to be won with her throughout the summer, so fingers crossed she can stay going the right way.”

JUST the three runners went to post for the Bluegrass Stamm 30 Steeplechase over an extended three and a quarter miles and 5/6 favourite Favori De Champdou led home a one-two for Elliott.

Favori De Champdou and Gilligan disputed the lead with Marronstown and Ben Harvey before taking the initiative after the third-last fence. They cranked up the pressure racing to the last and ran on by a decisive seven lengths from stablemate Jumping Jet and Kevin Sexton.

Gilligan, in the Gigginstown House Stud silks, said: “He was entitled to go around and do that. The ground was a big issue going out, but it is great to get his head in front.

“He’s a top horse for those big handicaps over a trip and that will do his confidence the world of good to get his head in front again.”

The four-timer was sealed when Lightkeeper took the Bluegrass Horse Feed Rated Novice Steeplechase.

The 3/1 chance tracked and launched his challenge four out. He led before the next and asserted before the penultimate fence. He kept on well to post a seven-and-a-half-length success over 2/1 favourite Spirit Of Legend for the Barstool Prophets Syndicate.

Gilligan said: “Bit of good ground really helped him. On that ground, he found it a lot easier and got into such a good rhythm and it was great. He jumped really well and he was able to travel with me throughout. Very happy with him.”

MILAN Forth made a winning start to life with Adrian Murray in the Bluegrass Mare Prepare Hunters Steeplechase over an extended two miles and three furlongs.

The 9/4 favourite delivered his challenge three out and soon picked up a narrow advantage.

Bold Fury rallied to dispute over the next, but took over on the run to the last. He kept on well in the hands of Kevin Healy to score by two lengths for owner Patrick J Whyte.

The jockey said: “He tries his best every day he comes out and is a very talented horse. His jumping is very good and he travelled very well, nearly too well into it.”

Dominant

Echoing Silence dominated from the front in the Bluegrass Horse Feed Mares Flat Race. The even-money favourite reverted to a bumper after finishing fifth in a maiden hurdle at Navan in December and John Gleeson kept it simple on her.

They made all and kicked on in the final furlong to strike by two and a half lengths for Henry de Bromhead and Kenny Alexander.

Stable representative Robbie Power said: “We think a lot of her, she will be a nice mare to go novice hurdling with next season. We’ll have a chat with Henry and Kenny, and that might be it for the season.

“There’s a few options in Punchestown and Fairyhouse in mares’ bumpers - I think there’s a listed mares’ bumper in Punchestown, but Kenny and Henry will sit down and have a chat.”

Josh Halford, jockey on runner-up Kenisa Sport, was banned for four days for frequency with the whip.

There was an amended result in the Bluegrasshorsefeed.com Maiden Hurdle, with the runner-up Glenashling promoted to first and Walk On The Beach demoted to second.

Walk On The Beach (4/7 favourite) originally passed the post with half a length in hand, however, the stewards deemed that, when he edged left towards Glenashling on the run-in, he had improved his finishing position, so they reversed the placings.

Glenashling went off at 14/1 for Gavin Cromwell, Conor Stone-Walsh and owner Bridget McAuliffe.

John Gleeson, rider of Walk On The Beach, was given a two-day ban for riding carelessly, while James Costello, jockey on eighth-placed Zuzukel, was suspended for 10 days for a breach of the rule governing a horse achieving the best possible place.