GORDON Elliott’s string already looked in excellent form entering the week and a five-timer across Ascot and Punchestown confirmed that Cullentra is one of the hottest yards in National Hunt racing right now - headlined by a hearty and classy display from Wodhooh to win the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle.

Saturday’s haul brought Elliott to 12 winners in the last seven days. Of his 13 runners on the day, all bar a trio of them finished in the first three.

It looked a smart piece of placing from connections to run last season’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle heroine in Grade 2 company at Ascot, rather than take on stablemate Teahupoo in next weekend’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. The winning prize money for a lesser quality race at Ascot came to just shy of €65,000, whereas the winner of the Hatton’s Grace collects only slightly more, €72,000, for a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse.

Danny Gilligan was his typically cool self on five-year-old mare, owned by The Sundowners Partnership. She had plenty of work to do turning in but gradually unwound a challenge and flew over the last - barely breaking stride over the top bar - and went on to score by two and a half lengths from Celtic Dino as 6/5 favourite.

Wodhooh, runner-up to Lossiemouth in last season’s Aintree Hurdle, started the day priced as big as 4/1 for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but is now between 2/1 and 9/4.

Elliott said: “She’s a good mare and where she’ll end up I’m not quite sure, but she keeps winning, so I’m delighted. We knew they were going to go quick up front on that ground so we said we would take our time, but I just liked the attitude she showed to quicken going down over the last, it was great.

“She’s good and we’re lucky to have her. We’ll get her home now and have a chat about what we do next, I’m not too sure yet. Today was the plan and she’s done great, so I’m delighted.”

Punchestown multiple

A Punchestown four-timer for Elliott, and a treble for Jack Kennedy, started with Robcour’s Santo Sospir boxing on strongly in the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles and three furlongs.

The bumper winner, who was disappointing on his comeback at Wexford, shaped like a stayer in the making here. Sent off the 11/8 favourite, he was forced to work hard for this by Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Barley Lane but got on top by a length when it mattered.

Assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said of the 25/1 chance for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: “He was good and toughed it out really well from the back of the last. Jack said he lost a bit of momentum when he pricked his ears and ran around a bit at the last. He said he’s still a bit green.

“He’s obviously stepped forward from Wexford and hopefully he’ll be a nice novice going forward. I think further will definitely suit him and he handles those ground conditions, so he’ll have loads of options for the winter. Hopefully he can step up to graded level.”

Capo on the up

The market did not have the same level of expectation surrounding Dee Capo, who powered clear of plucky top-weight High Class Hero to win the €45,000 Ryans Cleaning Handicap Chase at 12/1.

Returning in excellent shape from 254 days off, David L'Estrange’s Leopardstown Christmas Festival beginners’ chase winner finished down the field behind Caldwell Potter at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen and showed a decent level of ability here to score by four and a quarter lengths off his rating of 142.

O’Neill said: “Jack said he’s grown up a lot, and he was very straightforward. He jumps really well and handled that ground very well. He had good form last year and was entitled to do something like that. Hopefully he can build on it and I’m sure Gordon will have something in mind for him.”

Anarchy off the mark

It was success on handicap debut for the stable’s Son Of Anarchy, owned by J.P. McManus, as he progressed from some decent maiden hurdle runs before a break to win decisively in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2026 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.

Running for the first time since the Galway Festival, the 7/1 shot had far too much late on for Willie Mullins’ Rakki, scoring by seven and a half lengths.

“He’s a lovely big horse who handled the testing ground well and jumped well,” said O’Neill.

“He seems to have really learned and I think he’s probably an improved performer this year. He proved he could justify his mark [of 118] today.”

Brave Ballyfad

Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud claimed the previous day's point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse in dramatic fashion when Unflinching came from a most unpromising position in the closing stages to win, and it felt like a case of ‘copy and paste’ for the same combination’s Ballyfad in the Exhibit A Displays Bumper at Punchestown.

Josh Halford showed plenty of strength to lift the point-to-point and Down Royal bumper winner home by a half length as 10/11 favourite. Victory did not appear likely when he was passed in the straight.

“It looked very similar to yesterday - you would have thought he was beaten and then he came with a second wind,” said O’Neill, after the stable wrapped up a Saturday 1,036/1 five-timer.

“I suppose he’s not a horse who is flashy or does anything too quickly, but you’d have to like his attitude and the way he battled, to come in between two horses. Josh gave him a great ride. Maybe some of the graded bumpers around the Dublin Racing Festival could be his target. It’s nice for him to do that.”