GORDON Elliott set a new Irish National Hunt record as Poormans Hill became his 194th winner of the campaign in the Toals Bookmakers Ulster National Irish EBF Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.
Vincent and Kathleen Caldwell’s seven-year-old gelding has been a revelation for Elliott in winning seven races from September and is now unbeaten in three appearances at Downpatrick.
Elliott’s other representative, Out Sam, led and set sail for home after the last but he was badly hampered and carried wide by a loose horse.
Poormans Hill, the 11/4 favourite, mounted his challenge on the inside and stayed on resolutely up the hill to win by six and a half lengths under Jack Kennedy.
Tulsa Jack (14/1) kept on for second, three-quarters of a length in front of Out Sam (9/2).
Elliott said: “Poormans Hill likes this place. I was a bit worried after the run the last day that it might have took the edge off him. Out Sam ran well as well so we are happy.
“Poormans Hill is still in the Irish National and if he sneaked into it he’d take his chance. He’ll probably go for a race at Punchestown.”
On reaching a record-breaking 194 winners, he said: “We trained 193 last year which Willie Mullins had done before and we levelled it. I’m just unfortunate I’m around the same time as Willie! It’s great for Irish racing, though.
“It’s unbelievable that myself and Willie could both train 200 winners (in a season) and one of us will lose out on the title.”
Poormans Hill was the final leg of an almost 92/1 treble on the card for Elliott which started with Percy in the WKD Maiden Hurdle.
Davy Russell’s mount tracked the well-backed 2/5 favourite Caro Des Flos before overwhelming him on the run-in to score by a length at 7/2.
Elliott trained the winner for George Turner and the Clipper Logistics Group Ltd and said: “He was entitled to win it on his ratings on the flat. He definitely wants better ground so he might be a horse we’ll keep for Punchestown for a winners of one hurdle.”
LAZY
Katie O’Farrell guided 9/2 shot Isodon home for Elliott in the digita.agency Handicap Hurdle. The Martaline gelding got off the mark by seeing off A Place Apart by three-quarters of a length in first-time blinkers.
O’Farrell, in the Gigginstown silks, said: “He found plenty up the hill. I wasn’t sure how much I had left to be honest. He’s a lazy sort of a horse so I just had to keep the revs up the whole way and see if he could stay it out and he did.
“That’s my third winner for Gordon but my first winner for him this season.”
Russell made all on Gigginstown’s Game Of War to bring his double up in the Molson Coors Rated Hurdle. The 2/1 favourite was too strong at the finish for runner-up Synopsis who gave best by three and a half lengths.
“He stuck at it well and did it well. He didn’t mind the ground at all. Henry (de Bromhead) will find a nice opportunity for him,” Russell said.
Philip Rothwell’s Shanklys Dawn landed a gamble with a last-gasp success in the Download The Ladbrokes App Handicap Chase over an extended two miles, three furlongs.
The seven-year-old mare was backed from 14/1 to 7/1 and got up on the line to nail Quickasyoucan by a nose.
A delighted Rothwell said: “She eventually got her luck! I thought she was going to win in Down Royal but she sort of got brought down at the second last. I ran her back in Thurles and it just came a bit quick for her. I went to Hereford for ‘niceish’ ground and I got off the boat and it rained for 48 hours so eventually she got a bit of luck.
“I think with a bit of confidence she can follow up and win another chase. She’s a summer mare and will tip away for the summer. I’m delighted for James Guilfoyle from Tipperary who is the most amazing owner and supporter and Adam (Short) gave her a very good ride, he was very positive on her the whole way.”
GALLOPING
Timewaitsfornoone justified 4/6 favouritism in the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase but was made to battle by He Knows My Name before delivering by a length.
Trainer Alan Fleming was in Naas watching Katie Cruel give him an across the card double so owner Barry Connell said: “I’d say he wants a more galloping track. He wants a bit of better ground. He’s going to be a nice three-mile chaser in time.”
Once Getareason found his stride over a furlong out, he readily took control of the Pro Paramedics In Memory of John, Ian & Lynn (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
After the 4/6 favourite came in by four and a quarter lengths, jockey Patrick Mullins said: “He didn’t handle the track very well, he was hanging out and I think he will improve a lot in his head.”
When asked if he could be one for Punchestown, he replied: “Possibly the winners’ bumper in Punchestown. I’d like to see him take his chance in a winners’ bumper anyway.”
Willie Mullins trained the five-year-old gelding to victory for Sullivan Bloodstock Limited.
ACTING STEWARDS
R. Steele, B.J. Fitzsimmons, D. McCorkell, J. Collins, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
QUICKASYOUCAN (C.A. McBratney): Gave it a very good go from the front on his second run back after a long absence. He looks to have retained plenty of zest.