GORDON Elliott and Danny Gilligan recorded a treble at Down Royal on Sunday afternoon. Howdoyalikeherhome initiated the three-timer when making a quick reappearance to win the Fast As Fibrus Broadband Novice Handicap Hurdle.

A well-beaten fourth at Bellewstown a day earlier, the 7/2 chance improved on that effort to score by one and a quarter lengths in the colours of Ed Mulligan.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “He looked much more comfortable over that longer distance. He has toughed it out really well because it is a quick turnaround from yesterday. He’s a grand horse and hopefully he will be able to step forward and build on that.

“Obviously, we will see what way he comes out of today and give him a little bit of a break maybe between his races now after two quick runs. He seemed to handle the ground quite well, so it will create loads of options for him over the summer months.”

Clear-cut winner

Classy hurdler Pied Piper provided the middle leg of the Elliott/Gilligan treble when making a winning debut over fences in the Fibrus Gallop At Gigabit Speeds Beginners Chase. Leading after three out, the Mrs M Roden and Mrs R Nolan-owned 10/11 favourite galloped clear to win by 20 lengths.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “On his best day, he is entitled to win that. As Danny said, he had a couple of novicey mistakes but he’ll certainly learn from the experience. It is lovely to get his head in front again.

“He was a little bit keen in the early stages, but Danny gave him a lovely ride. Danny seemed to be very happy with him.

“It is his first time over fences and Down Royal is a big jumping test as well for a novice. Hopefully, he will be able to get another couple on the board after that.”

Completed it

Sea Aster completed a good afternoon for Elliott and Gilligan in the Fibrus Super Simple To Switch Handicap Chase. Sent off 6/1, the mare kept on strongly after the last to beat stablemate Wine An Dine by three parts of a length.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “The better ground is definitely key to her. She is very game and genuine. It came down to the last and Jordan’s horse (Gainford on Wine An Dine) made a mistake and that was probably the difference.

“It is great for her owners (Around The Fire Syndicate), they are a nice syndicate of people. She did it nicely today and the good ground will hopefully keep options open for her for the summer months. She is not that big, but she is really tough and she has toughed it out all the way to the line.”

RACHAEL Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead took the opening Giddyup And Switch To Fibrus Mares Maiden Hurdle with Nastya. Sent off 8/13 favourite for the two-and-a-half-mile contest, the Alan Halsall-owned six-year-old won by 25 lengths with ease.

“It was straightforward,” Blackmore later reported. “She made a mistake at the last, but she was very good everywhere else.

“She had a nice run the last day (second at Limerick) and a lovely run up here behind Air Of Entitlement at Christmas (third) - she had lovely form coming into the race and built on that today. It is proper good ground.”

Clowning around

Circus Act stayed on best to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for James Nash and Ben Kennedy. The 11/1 winner carried the Nash colours to a two-and-a-half-length victory.

“She appreciates nice ground and that was a big help to her,” Nash commented. “Ben gave her a lovely ride. She’s a brilliant jumper and she stays very well.

“I was nearly happy to see the lads getting run away with down the back because I wondered were they going quick enough for her. That qualifies her now for the final in Punchestown or the 0-110 final in Killarney, so she will go somewhere nice next.”

SIMON Torrens partnered the Philip Rothwell-trained Gustavo Goodway to a one-and-a-quarter-length win in the Fibrus Says Neigh To Price Hikes Handicap Hurdle. Sent off 16/1, the winner was owned by Trevor Leopold, Philip Smith, D P Connolly and Catherine Connolly.

Rothwell said: “That horse was running an absolute super race in Thurles and got brought down. He went to Wexford and was running a super race and the saddle slipped.

“He went to Wexford the next day and I shouldn’t have run him - it was way softer than what was given and the rain came. He wants a galloping track and good ground so, even though I thought today was coming a little bit quick for him, it was the right race and we stuck him in.

“I was hoping he would win in Thurles and this is very much overdue. Now it is onwards and upwards.”

Victorious veteran

The John Flavin-trained Smitty Bacall belied his years to win the concluding Fibrus Total Home Wi-Fi Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, the 15/2 chance led from two out and stayed on strongly to win by three and a half lengths for owners the Circle Of Six Syndicate.

Flavin said: “Darragh won on him in Roscommon last year and he’s just a very good jockey. I’m delighted that he jumped well and travelled well. That’s his first win over fences at 14, so it is great that he got it.

“He’s a good-ground horse so hopefully he’s okay in the morning. Darragh said he gave him a lovely feel for a 14-year-old. It is a big jumping test around here, he warmed into it and Darragh said he was brilliant everywhere.”