NOEL Meade was the only other trainer to get a look in at Punchestown on Thursday as Gordon Elliott dominated proceedings with a stunning six-timer on the card.
There was some high quality action on the card and the John Shortt Legends Challenge Race, which preceded racing, also had plenty of star attractions.
The contest featured the likes of Mick Kinane, Charlie Swan, Paul Carberry and Conor O’Dwyer returning to the saddle.
Norman Williamson emerged victorious on 13/8 favourite Pallasator, trained by Gordon Elliott, and the 107-rated flat performer ran out an easy eight and a half length winner over stable-mate Tiger Roll.
“It’s fantastic. They were all talking this morning about me being on the best horse in the race but the reason we’re here is to raise money and let’s hope people send in a few quid,” said Williamson.
“John Shortt was a great pal of mine, a great fella and he was a great horseman as well.
“Thanks to Gordon Elliott and thanks to Sheikh Fahad for letting me ride him. We came up with the plan a couple of weeks ago.
“As Gordon said it also put a little bit of buzz to the race with a real good horse in it. I know he won well but at least he ran in it. He gave me a terrific ride.
“We are here for a reason and let’s hope we raise a good few quid.”
It was to prove a precursor to a memorable, and highly profitable, day for Elliott.
Unbeaten performer Samcro was sent to post a 1/5 shot to make a winning debut over hurdles and duly did the business in style.
The Gigginstown-owned son of Germany travelled easily to lead turning for home and soon cruised clear, under Jack Kennedy, for a 15-length success.
“Job done – we think he’s a nice horse. Jack said it was pretty straightforward and he would have done as much at home on the gallop,” said Elliott.
“He’s relaxed and you could step him up in trip but he’s got the pace for that. He’s a nice horse, it’s hard to know how good he is but we like him and we think the world of him.
“His bumpers were very good last year. Half-way through his bumpers he looks like he goes to sleep and is lobbing along.
“I think the day we really saw him was the day with Lisa when she gave him a slap down the shoulder, at Fairyhouse, and he showed the pace he has.
“He put it to sleep there from the turn-in to the last, he put 15 lengths between them.
“I don’t think he could have done anymore than he did. He’d have to improve again to go to the next level but he looks a nice horse.
“We have that many of them we have to split them up. It’ll be steady steady and he’ll have one more run before Christmas I’d imagine. We’ll have to look at something like the Royal Bond. I’ve said it all along I think he’s quick enough for two miles and he has the stamina to stay and step out whenever you want.
“Chasing is going to be his game so we’ll try and mind him.”
The well-backed Ben Dundee made it three for Elliott when taking the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.
Davy Russell produced the 13/8 favourite (100/30 in morning) to lead on the bridle turning for home and he stuck on well after a slight mistake at the last to beat Clara Sorrento by two and a quarter lengths.
“He’s a nice horse. He did a good bit of work with us a couple of weeks ago. We fancied him and thankfully he won,” said Elliott.
“Chris (Jones) deserved it as he had a bit of back luck lately with Mega Fortune. He’s a big supporter of the yard so it’s nice to repay him with that winner.
When asked if he could be a Coral Cup horse Elliott replied: “Possibly or the Martin Pipe or something like that would do me grand!
“We’ll see what happens to him after today and we’ll mind him.”
EXCITING PROSPECT
Death Duty looks another exciting prospect for the season ahead and was number four for Elliott when running out an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase.
Russell, in the Gigginstown colours this time, let the 4/9 shot hit the front at the sixth fence and he powered clear going to the last to record an 11-length win over Tout Est Permis.
“I’ve always thought the world of this horse. Last year I was of the opinion that he probably wanted three miles but I’d say I might have been wrong, to be honest,” said Elliott.
“He wasn’t right in Cheltenham, so look we’ll put a line through last year. He was always bought to be a chaser and chasing is his game. He’s a horse to look forward to.
“I’d say we’ll keep him between two-and-a-half to two-six. That gives us loads of options.
“He jumped well in Tipperary, I know he made a mistake at the last. I’d say just going a gear faster and having to be more competitive suited him better. You’d have to be delighted with him. I’d say he’ll go for the Drinmore now and I’d say he’ll go straight there.”
Elliott has a great record of improving cheap purchases from England and King’s Song was another fine example when scoring on his debut for the yard in the amateur handicap chase.
Jamie Codd was in the saddle and produced the 3/1 favourite to lead two from home for an easy 14-length success.
“He was a cheap buy from Ascot sales and I struggled to sell him for a week or two actually,” said Elliott.
“We got him sold anyway and got a syndicate of lads put together. It’s great for them and I’m delighted.
“Whatever the handicapper does he still looks like he’s well enough handicapped over hurdles off 92. He should win another one you’d imagine.”
The haul was completed in the bumper when Gigginstown purchase Felix Desjy made an impressive debut ‘under rules’.
Lisa O’Neill was prominent throughout on the 11/8 favourite and led before the straight, pulling clear for a 10-length win.
“He’s a nice horse. A big galloping horse and a three-mile chaser in the making,” said Elliott.“I was delighted to hear there was something to make the running in the race and told Lisa to roll along upsides in front.
“She is a great bit of stuff. She’s very lucky for Gigginstown and and they are very good to her. I wouldn’t say we’ll go for another bumper. I think we’ll go jumping hurdles with him straight away.
“It’s a great day and I can’t believe it. Any day you have one winner is great so to have that many winners, I can’t believe it. We were having breakfast this morning and Simon (McGonagle) my head man, Mouse (O’Ryan) and Tom Howley said they were doing a lucky 63.
“Four of us done it. It only cost 63 quid and we all got a few quid out of it.”
It was also a terrific day for Gigginstown who had four winners on the card including Road To Repect in the featured Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase.
Noel Meade’s charge pegged back a valiant attempt by 25/1 shot Kilcarry Bridge to cause an upset in the three-mile one-furlong contest.
Sean Flanagan’s mount wore down the front-runner on the run-in to record a length and a half win at odds of 7/2.
“I’m delighted. We had Road To Respect and himself in this and felt this fella just comes a little bit quicker and the other fella takes a little more work,” said Meade.
“I think Road To Respect will go to the north for the JN Wine Chase. It could well be that this fella goes for the second season novice in the north, I don’t know and we’ll see what happens.
“He’s back well and he done that well. We’re not surprised he won, we thought he came on a good bit since last year. He seemed very well and he doesn’t take a lot of work, it’s just keeping him fresh and keeping him happy.
“He said he was a bit rusty early on and landed a bit steep and whatever but when he went he got there real well. He stays. In fairness Eoin (Griffin) said that to me, he couldn’t believe we were talking about two and a half. All along he always felt that three miles is his trip.
“He’s matured into a nice horse. That’s the softest he’s won on I think. We’re thrilled.
“Hopefully he comes sound and he’s alright. We can think about where we go after that.”
Meade and Flanagan had also struck earlier on the card when Lex Talionis ran out a game winner of the two-mile handicap hurdle.
The 12/1 shot got up in a tight finish to record a head victory in the colours of Deirdre Kelly.
“He’s been improving with every run, just coming along and getting a little bit better everytime,” said Meade.
“His run the last day was good and he just improved again from it. I thought the ground might be a bit soft for him but he said it half helped him in a way as he settled a little bit better.
“He jumped well and I thought he gave him a brilliant ride.
“He went round the inner the whole way, scraped the fence and got a great run around the inside going around the last bend. It just made the difference between winning and losing.
“He just puts his head down and gallops. He’s probably well enough handicapped on the flat and there could be a flat race in him as well.”
ACTING STEWARDS
P. Caffrey, N. McCaffrey, M. Hillman, J. Weld, P.W. Murtagh
HORSE TO FOLLOW
MIND’S EYE (H. de Bromhead): Mind’s Eye couldn’t live with Samcro but should be capable of winning a maiden hurdle before long.