WITH Ellerslie racecourse in New Zealand closed for six months as the Auckland Racing Club undertakes drainage works, their Great Northern Premier jumps meeting was held at Te Aroha last Sunday.

In the 4,200 metre Great Northern Hurdle, it was the grey Jack Frost, trained by Brian and Shane Anderton and winner of the Grand National Hurdle two starts earlier, who justified his $3.50 favouritism with Stuart Higgins in the saddle.