AS expected Gordon Elliott made a whirlwind start to Down Royal’s marquee fixture with a four-timer in which pride of place went to Pied Piper who availed of the proverbial open goal in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle.

Fresh from a comeback success at Cheltenham 13 days previously the Caldwell Construction-owned four-year-old had upwards of 15lb to spare over his three rivals and this was reflected in a starting price of 1/8.

The favourite was a little untidy at a few hurdles and a steady pace meant that his rivals were able to get into contention over the last half miles. Indeed David Garrick was closely poised at the last where Pied Piper was clumsy but a shake of the reins was all that was needed for the favourite to ease clear for a three and a quarter lengths triumph.

“I left it up to Jack who felt he’d have done more in a piece of work at home. He was going round on his own with his ears pricked and he is definitely better with a lead, but it’s job done and it’s great to win this race again, the prize-money is great,” said Elliott.

“He’s had two runs in a fortnight and all being well I’d say we will leave him until Christmas and he’ll be entered in Leopardstown and Kempton. He’s going to have to improve to hold his own against the top hurdlers but I think he can.”

Mighty leisure

The Caldwell Construction colours were also carried to victory by Mighty Potter in the Tote-sponsored beginners’ chase over just short of two and a half miles.

This strapping five-year-old was sent off at 2/5 to build on a first season over hurdles that yielded two Grade 1 successes and he was untroubled up front throughout for Jack Kennedy. Mighty Potter made a mistake at the first fence in the straight on both circuits and still looked a little raw at times. However, he did also appear to do everything at his leisure and he readily brushed aside the effort of his stablemate Mars Harper after the last to run out a comfortable three-and a-half-lengths winner.

“Ideally you’d have preferred to get a lead with him too – Jack felt he lost concentration at one or two. With a lead, he would be a totally different horse but we had to make it. I’d be thinking in terms of the Drinmore for him next,” remarked the trainer.

THE day got off to a successful start for Gordon Elliott as American Mike ran out a smooth winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and three quarter miles. One of the best bumper horses of last season, the Bective Stud-owned American Mike was sent off at 1/6 but he was given a good test by Letsbeclearaboutit who was a high class bumper horse two seasons ago and was returning from 580 days off the track.

The latter moved past American Mike early on the final circuit and when the favourite was somewhat untidy four out it looked as though the leader could take plenty of subduing. American Mike and Jack Kennedy loomed up on the bridle before two out though and changed gears in imperceptible fashion after the final flight to cruise clear and finish with six and a half lengths to spare.

“Jack said he was asleep most of the way and that he was a bit novicey. He’s had a good blow afterwards so I’d say there is plenty of improvement and we’ll head on to Navan at the end of the month for the Monksfield Novice Hurdle,” commented Elliott.

Three starts

Elliott promptly followed up with Jungle Prose who made it two wins from three starts for the trainer in the 80-102 rated Lough Construction Ltd Handicap Hurdle over three miles. The Bull On Syndicate-owned daughter of Yeats picked up a 12lb rise in the ratings for a recent success at Thurles but shrugged that off with aplomb. The 3/1 favourite travelled notably well throughout for Davy Russell and was in charge of this race from before two out, eventually defeating Rebellious Gale by just under four lengths.

“She looks as though she has improved again from Thurles,” stated Elliott. “A lot of credit should go to Gary O’Brien who pointed me in her direction at the sales during the summer.”

HENRY de Bromhead has a cracking prospect on his hands in the four-year-old Magical Zoe who made it three wins from as many starts on the track in the Grade 3 Irish EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle.

This race was easily one of the most intriguing of the entire weekend with eight of the 10 runners having won last time out and there were some very useful sorts on show. For her part Magical Zoe looked a decent mare when landing a Wexford maiden hurdle two months ago but this race represented a huge rise in class and she was allowed to go off at 18/1.

The Patrick Bryceland-owned mare rose to this challenge in great style under a patient Adrian Heskin who is sponsored by the owner.

The daughter of Shantou was disputing a share of second last with three to jump but the field was well grouped at this point and Magical Zoe was appreciably closer at the second last.

At this point Nikini was fighting off the favourite The Model Kingdom and the former looked as though she might have done enough when she cleared the last in the lead. However, she was run down by Magical Zoe who swept by on the run-in to score by a length.

“She was impressive. She had very little experience coming into the race and the way she picked up from the second last was impressive and that was a good performance. She went through the line strongly,” remarked the rider.

It was an excellent afternoon for Stuart Crawford who enjoyed a double which he completed when Carnfunnock (9/4) turned over the odds on Elliott newcomer Better Days Ahead in the WorkPal INH Flat Race. The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned five-year-old, who was ridden by the trainer’s brother Ben, was always holding Better Days Ahead over the last furlong and got home by a length and a quarter.

“We were very disappointed whenever Facile Vega beat him as easily as he did in Leopardstown and I probably shouldn’t have run him at Punchestown in April,” declared the trainer. “I’d imagine he will go hurdling now.”

Skewing over

Earlier the Crawford-trained Now Where Or When ran out a brave winner of the racingtv.com-sponsored handicap chase over two miles. On his first outing since finishing second in a rated chase at Fairyhouse over Easter, Now Where Or When (4/1) recovered well from skewing over the first fence to make all the running for Sam Ewing.

The Margaret McCrudden-owned gelding produced a number of good jumps and that proved crucial in the closing stages as Now Where Or When was much better at the last two fences than The Greek and this was the deciding factor in the half-length triumph. A stewards enquiry was called as the winner did drift slightly left in the closing stages but it came as no surprise when the result was allowed to stand.

“Two miles is plenty short enough and in better company he definitely wants further,” stated Crawford.”