THE Game Changer brought up a double for Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell and Gigginstown as Elliott’s horses continued in good form in the www.thetote.com Hurdle.
The 5/2 favourite picked off stablemate Flaxen Flare on the run-in to post a victory by half a length. This was a 12th success of a money-spinning career for the nine-year-old gelding.
Elliott said: “We were worried about him staying (two and a half miles) but Davy gave him a good ride. Thankfully, it all worked out grand.
“It’s hard to place him like every one of those horses in that race. That’s why I ran four of them. He has the engine but he just needs that ground.”
After this contest, the going changed from good to good, good to firm in places for the remaining four races on the card which led to several withdrawals.
Boot Camp was another favourite to prevail for the Elliott, Russell and Gigginstown alliance in race two - the Belfast Live Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old gelding wandered on the run-in and carried third-placed Court Tycoon right, though, before staying on best to win by two and a quarter lengths at 11/8.
A stewards’ enquiry was called but no alteration was made.
Elliott said: “The horse came home but he was behind the bridle the whole way and we had a hood on him and Davy said maybe we should leave it off the next day.
“He said the ground was maybe as tight as he would have wanted it, he wasn’t really letting himself down on it. We’ll keep him going over the summer. He’ll jump a fence at some stage.”
PUNTERS HAPPY
Punters really came for Joseph O’Brien’s Monarch in the featured €25,000 the tote.com Handicap Hurdle and they were rewarded with a victory.
He led narrowly at the last where his closest rival Suitor suffered a fatal fall. The five-year-old gelding then came home by four and a quarter lengths.
He was backed down from 11/2 to 7/2 favourite.
Jockey Mark Walsh sported the J.P. McManus colours and said: “He came on from the last day in Listowel. He just needs to be covered up, I was left in front plenty soon enough as he doesn’t do much in front. Davy’s (Russell) fell at the last and left me on my own.
“It was a good performance from him. He did pick up well, that ground is a big help to him. He jumped great and travelled great.”
Dixie Lee clearly relishes her trips north as she picked up her third Down Royal win in the www.thetote.com (Mares) Hurdle.
Mark Enright guided her to the front before the final flight and the 11/4 chance found plenty on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “Mark said she was cantering everywhere he went, he had plenty of horse. He didn’t want to hit the front too soon and he said she loved that ground. They went a grand gallop and she settled well.
“She enjoys herself on that ground and we’ll see what we do next – I think we’ll look at Galway.”
Roi De Dubai’s price collapsed during the day from a peak of 33/1 and the 7/1 chance rewarded his supporters with a clear-cut success in the Down Royal Summer Festival Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old gelding stayed on well from the third last in the hands of Donal McInerney to land the spoils by three and three-quarter lengths for New York-based owner Caroline Ahearne.
Trainer John McConnell eyed further summer pots as he said: “He had shown bits of form, the ground is important to him.
“Even though he has a roundy action, he won his point-to-point on good to firm. He’s had niggly little issues but he’s not a bad, little horse and he’s extremely tough.
“We’ll probably head to Bellewstown. He won a point-to-point so he’ll get three miles.”
Darren Bunyan’s Gone Dancin (15/8 favourite) made virtually all and kicked 10 lengths clear for Finny Maguire in the Daily Mirror (Fillies) INH Flat Race.
Bunyan said by telephone: “She’s a mare that has a very bright future.
“I would have been very disappointed if she hadn’t won.
“She jumps a hurdle well and I’ll have to talk to the owners (Shauna Carroll and Daniel Givens) to see if she goes for a winners of one (bumper) or hurdling.
“I’m delighted for the owners who are from Dublin and couldn’t be in Down Royal tonight. They have been very patient.”
Another horse to dominate from the front was Not The Chablis in the Mencap INH Flat Race.
Once Mark O’Hare’s mount tacked onto the far rail over a furlong out, he kept up the gallop to come home by three lengths at 3/1.
His trainer, Eddie Harty, said: “I have to give most of the credit to Patrick, my son, who picked him out for his mother and the two of them went in together on him. I’ve overseen him but I gave Patrick a lot of the rope with this fellow and make his own choices where we go.
“He has won well today so I’m happy with him. He did it the hard way as nothing wanted to go on.
“It was difficult enough for him, he was green enough and we hope he’ll improve again.
“He could run in a winners’ bumper.”
ACTING STEWARDS
R. S. Martin, Rev. C. Hall-Thompson, C.P. Magnier, F.G. Fitzsimmons, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
BEAU ET SUBLIME (A.J. Martin) He has banked two solid runner-up finishes after being off for 10 months. Can get his head in front soon.