GORDON Elliott will have been thrilled with his performance in the two Galway features, not only winning the Plate and Hurdle but adding a placed horse in each, though the starter for those races should be less pleased with his efforts, the openings ragged at best with at least a couple of horses losing their chances.

These are extremely competitive events and horses can be unpredictable, but the start to the Hurdle was sub-standard last year too, and they need to be better.