AS a jockey, only Barry O’Neill, Tony Martin and Jamie Codd have ridden more winners around Castletown-Geoghegan than Gordon Elliott, and since making the transition to the trainers’ ranks, his successful relationship with the Westmeath venue has continued.

Silver Birch, Elliott’s first big winner as a trainer when scoring in the 2017 Aintree Grand National, had kickstarted what proved to be his memorable campaign by finishing third in the autumn open at Castletown-Geoghegan back in 2006.