AMONG his increasingly impressive array of young talent Gordon Elliott could have a nice type on his hands in Gold Des Bois (10/11) who made a winning start for the trainer in the maiden hurdle over an extended two miles to signal that he could land a decent pot at some point this season.

The Robcour-owned six-year-old had posted some useful efforts over hurdles last season and already held a rating of 120 when he lined up here. He did everything nicely for Robbie Power and enjoyed a straightforward four-and-three-quarter-length success over the placed point-to-pointer Champagne Gold after striking for home with two to jump

“He’s a nice horse and his form in maiden hurdles entitled him to do that. I’d like him and I think he will improve from here. He’s a horse who will have plenty of options over the next few weeks,” commented Elliott.

The trainer also struck with the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Aforementioned (3/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase. This seven-year-old had run to a solid level on his first four outings over the larger obstacles but produced by far his most accomplished round of jumping under Jack Kennedy to get off the mark as a chaser. The 3/1 chance was headed by Whatsyourstatus at the second last but he was quicker at the final fence than his opponent and that set him up for a three-and-a-quarter-length triumph.

“He’s done that well and he jumped better than he has done. I’d say this trip suits him well and he’s just starting to get things together. There might be a bit more to come from him,” declared Elliott.

Don Diablo was an evens favourite to give the trainer a treble in the bumper but on his first start for almost a year he had to settle for third behind Noel Meade’s He’s A Hardy Bloke (5/2).

Don Diablo led turning for home but travelling especially well just in behind him was the Finny Maguire-ridden He’s A Hardy Bloke who sported the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate colours which were worn with such distinction by Quevega. After being beaten by just a head in a Navan bumper last month He’s A Hardy Bloke made no mistake this time as he breezed to the front inside the last quarter of a mile for an easy six-length victory over Quirt Evans.

A former winning point-to-pointer, He’s A Hardy Bloke was making just his third appearance on the track.

KILWORTH-based trainer Des Kenneally sent out his first winner for a decade when Empors Sword (12/1) landed the mares’ maiden hurdle.

This eight-year-old returned from two years off to finish fourth to the improving Trees Valley at Tramore in August and progressed from that effort under amateur Darragh Allen who was notching his second success on the track. Empors Sword led before the second last and found plenty for pressure to repel the favourite Champagne Diva by a length and a quarter.

Hospital

Philip Enright was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected shoulder injury after taking a nasty fall on the flat from Loughaneala Og on the flat in the early stages of this race.

The stewards looked into this incident which resulted in Jody McGarvey being hit with a seven-day careless riding ban.

Also ending a lengthy barren spell was jockey Richard Condon who bagged the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle on Pat Fahy’s Casamari Abbey. The son of Jeremy was travelling easily in the front rank as the runners turned for home and, after leading with two to jump, he retained control of the race to hold off Musical Ava by a length and a half.

First winner

This was a first winner in Ireland for Condon who rides out for Fahy six days a week while the winner is owned by the Devon Partnership of Stephen Murphy and Seamus Hennessy. The strongly supported 2/1 favourite Lightsider had to settle for fourth and his rider Jody McGarvey was given a two-day whip suspension.

Coyle’s Revenge gets Rolling on again

ROLLING Revenge rolled back the years to record his first win since October 2016 in the 80-102 rated two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap chase. Thomas Coyle’s charge did run quite well at Tramore a couple of weeks previously and progressed from that to give 19-year-old rider Cathal McCormack, a cousin of the trainer, the second success of his career.

The Pension Plan Syndicate-owned winner produced bold jumps at the last two fences and while the chasing Ciankyle exited two out, Coyle’s charge was already firmly in control at this stage.

At the line the 18/1 shot had six and a half lengths to spare over Alice Johnston. This was a third winner on the track for Coyle who has 14 horses under his care.

Two in two

Matthew Smith and Keith Donoghue combined for their second winner in as many days when Eimear landed the 80-102 rated three-mile handicap hurdle. The well backed 7/2 chance, who is owned by Kathleen Smyth and won over fences at Kilbeggan in July, is well suited by this sort of stamina test and she looked to have this race in safe keeping when moving to the front early in the straight.

Safe jumps at the last two flights by this daughter of Court Cave saw her come home 10 lengths ahead of the front-running Trickey Trix.