THERE was simply no stopping Gordon Elliott on day one of the Ladbrokes Down Royal Festival, steamrolling his way to a sublime 302/1 six-timer.

Irish Point (5/6 favourite) was the most established performer on Elliott’s team sheet heading to the northern venue, making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last spring.

Robcour’s five-year-old did not let the side down in the Grade 3 Bottlegreen Hurdle, having too much for closest rival Magical Zoe as part of a four-timer on the card for red-hot rider Jack Kennedy.

Elliott said: “We know he wants further than two miles, but he picked up and galloped.

“We are very happy with him. Jack was in the right spot and he kicked at the right time and made plenty of use of him.

“We didn’t want to make it, but we had to because there was nothing else to make it. I’d say we will definitely step him up in trip. He really stays.”

When asked about a tilt at the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, Elliott replied: “We will keep all options open, but it wouldn’t shock me if you saw him going three miles at some stage.”

Robcour double

Robcour also came out on top in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles and six furlongs when Zefiro Dodville took full account of shorter-priced stablemate Better Days Ahead crashing out at the third last.

Jordan Gainford did the steering on the 12/1 winner, who had been nibbled at in the market.

Elliott said: “He was disappointing the last day [in a bumper at Fairyhouse last month]. I’d say the race just fell in his lap there today. He will come on from that - he is a good, big stayer.

“Better Days Ahead was travelling very well. He jumped pretty well up to that but, as long as he is okay, that is the most important thing. I couldn’t really see it, I had the sun in my eyes.”

Brighterdays’ shows top-class ability

UNBEATEN four-year-old Brighterdaysahead shot to the front of the Cheltenham Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle betting after a clearcut success in the Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle for Gigginstown House Stud.

The impeccably-bred dual bumper winner is understandably still a work in progress but showed plenty of raw talent to account for more experienced rivals by four and three quarters of a length as the easy-to-back 2/1 favourite under Jack Kennedy.

She is a general 4/1 favourite for that possible Cheltenham target now, having started the day at 8/1.

Elliott said: “It happened that quick for the first mile that she didn’t know what she was doing as they were going that fast but, once she got into her rhythm, Jack said he was very happy with her.

“She has no experience, but she has a fair engine. She’s a proper mare and she still has a lot to learn - she is still very green.

“The rest of the field has two or three runs over hurdles, so I thought it was a good performance.

“There’s no need to go beyond two miles, but I’d say she will be better when she goes further. She hasn’t put a foot wrong so far, so she is exciting. She is in the Royal Bond and obviously I will talk to Michael and Eddie [O’Leary] to see. I think we will keep her in her own category at the moment.”

Brook rewards support

Elliott’s Hunting Brook could be a well-bought handicapper at £20,000 out of Emma Lavelle’s yard on the evidence of his success in the Lough Construction Ltd. Handicap Hurdle for owners Finola Murphy, Ann Marie McManus and Tahnee Grant.

The strongly-supported 5/4 favourite, making his stable debut, had enough in reserve to repel a spirited challenge from admirable veteran Benkei by three quarters of a length.

“He was showing us enough there at home that we were happy enough with him,” said Elliott.

“I bought him at the Goffs UK Sale in May. We stepped him right up in trip, though I’d say you could actually bring him back to two and a half or two and three quarters of a mile - he has enough pace. It is our 100th winner of the season, so it is nice to do that again.”

Cawley stops clean sweep

Elliott’s bid to go through the card was foiled in the only other handicap on the card, the Try Racing TV For Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Chase, when Irish Blaze finished third to Eddie Cawley’s plucky Dont Go Yet under Philip Byrnes.

There could be more good days ahead for the 18/1 winner given he is rated considerably lower over hurdles.

“Jumping is his forte but there wasn’t much jumping [due to the omission of fences],” said Cawley.

“It was a long run home and I thought he would definitely get idle. He has a good mark over hurdles and we will see what the handicapper does. I’ve run him quite a few times over hurdles and he runs well, but he is a horse that doesn’t see out his races.”

IT was also a good afternoon at the office for Bective Stud, who still emerged with a double on the card despite their 8/15 favourite Better Days Ahead crashing out in the opening maiden hurdle.

A double for the owners to round off the card was kicked off by a smart performance from useful former novice hurdler Found A Fifty in the Eventco Marquees Ltd. Beginners Chase over just shy of two and a half miles.

There was eight lengths separating the winning 8/13 favourite, ridden by Jack Kennedy, and main rival Colonel Mustard, with the shape of the race changing after fences were omitted due to low-lying sun.

Elliott said: “He’s a good horse. He got very revved up last season and just blew his top, but Jack was delighted with the way he settled there.

“When you saw the way he was jumping, you’d be hoping he would be in it.

“I like the way he quickened as well down the straight, he quickened well. He’s in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse but we’ll see where we go.”

Impressive bumper win

What looked a good opportunity for dual bumper winner Firefox turned out to be just that in the concluding Freixenet INH Flat Race when the 1/6 favourite proved much too good for his rivals under Harry Swan.

The five-year-old will now switch codes for the remainder of the winter.

“We like him, he’s a lovely horse,” said Elliott. “He’ll go jumping now. I was planning to go jumping at the moment, but when The Yellow Clay [who was also declared for the bumper before being withdrawn] wasn’t right this morning, I ran him. I’d say we will go hurdling now, but the Royal Bond will probably come a bit quick.”

On his six-timer, he added: “I’m lucky to be in the position I am in with the horses that I have and the staff, owners and jockeys. It is not easy to get six. It’s been a brilliant day.”