FRUIT Blossom brought up a treble for Gordon Elliot and a double for Danny Gilligan with a staying-on performance in The Shortcross Gin Mares Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs.

The 13/2 shot kept on after the penultimate flight and improved into second, in her pursuit of The Grey Monty, before the last. She got on terms with the leader approaching the final 100 yards and soon led before keeping on best by half a length for the Barstool Prophets Syndicate.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “She was tough and I thought Danny gave her a lovely ride. She was maybe travelling on and off the bridle a little bit, but he nipped around the inside and he timed his challenge well.”

Jack Kennedy wasn’t in action after being unseated the previous evening in Kilbeggan, so Gilligan stood in for him aboard Elliott’s Gaye Winnie (11/4) in The ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle over the extended two miles and one furlong.

This Walk In The Park mare was pushed two lengths clear on the run-in by Gilligan and saw it out well to increase the margin to two and three-quarter lengths at the line for the Just Good Friends Syndicate.

Gilligan said: “She probably didn’t kill herself when she hit the front, but she has done her job now.

“I’d say so (get further), she seemed to relax there and I could hold on to her for as long as I wanted to. I’d say two and a-half should be no bother to her.”

Later Gilligan injured himself when getting unseated in the maiden hurdle won by Invictus World. He was taken away to receive treatment on a suspected shoulder injury.

Keith Donoghue deputised for Kennedy on Elliott’s An Mhi who made it four wins in a row in The Killultagh Estates Rated Hurdle.

This extended two-mile-one-furlong distance was a drop in trip for him, so Donoghue made all to utilise his stamina. The 4/7 favourite drew the sting out of his rivals by kicking on entering the straight and powered in by two and three quarter lengths.

O’Neill said: “He showed he is very capable over longer distances and over a shorter distance today. He is a real nice horse for the future because you see the size and scope of him, he will make a fence look small.

“It is great for the new partnership (C.B. Woods, Christopher Donnelly and Pioneer Racing), obviously it was Pioneer Racing before and they are still involved.”