GORDON Elliott was full of praise for young claimer Danny Gilligan after he bagged a double for the Cullentra handler at Kilbeggan last Friday night.

Stuzzikini went to post a 10/11 shot for the pairing in the opening two miles maiden hurdle on the card and was produced with a well-timed run to land the spoils.

Gilligan got a good tune from the Champs Elysees gelding on the run-in as he chased down Je T’ai Porte to secure a length-and-a-half win.

Elliott, who trains the winner for the Versatile Coating Specialist Ltd, said afterwards: “He gave him a lovely ride. Danny is going to ride plenty for us this year. The ground was very soft for him the last day (when pulled up in Down Royal).”

Later on the card Gilligan again proved cool when scoring on Arctic Ambition in the two miles and three furlongs handicap chase.

He produced his mount to lead on the long run to the last fence and the 7/1 shot was left clear at the last by the exit of Gali Flight, going on to record a five-and-a-half length win.

The Arctic Ambition is owned by the Go Go Go Partnership and Elliott said: “I’d say he runs well fresh and in fairness to Danny he gave him a good ride, it’s great for him.”

WINNIE Woodnutt justified favouritism in fine style when taking the Mullingar Handicap Hurdle for David Harvey.

The 9/4 favourite was partnered by the trainer’s grandson Alex, who wore his father William’s colours.

Having tracked his brother Ben, on Merry Moves, Alex Harvey sent his mount for home after the second last and she soon opened up to record a convincing four-and-a-half length win over Flemensreva.

“I had a dream run around, she jumped and travelled everywhere. I probably got there a bit too soon but I was just cantering,” said the winning rider.

“It’s great. That’s what it’s all about, it’s the smaller yards like us with homebreds. When they are born you have a dream in mind, it mightn’t be Cheltenham here but it’s a great day.

“My uncle from the Philippines is over and he was here to see it. I’m sure there will be celebrations tonight.”

Opportunity

In the other handicap hurdle on the card, Presenting Doyen made the most of her opportunity when getting in as first reserve in the mares’ event over two miles and three furlongs.

Denis O’Regan produced his mount to challenge at the last and the 17/2 shot got to the front on the run-in to record a three-quarters-of-a-length victory over Fruit Blossom.

Cian Collins trains the daughter of Doyen for the A P Partnership and he said afterwards: “She had a few nice runs. She’s ground dependant, she likes good ground.

“I thought Denis gave her a very good ride, it was a tactical enough race. We fancied her if she got in as the good ground and the trip suited her.”

Decisive win

Ostend went to post a 20/1 shot in the two miles and three furlongs maiden hurdle on the card but proved a decisive winner for trainer Peter Croke.

Shane Fenelon tracked the front-running Sir Jimmy Mac before hitting the front three from home.

He sent his mount clear after the second last and he had plenty up his sleeve in the closing stages to post an eight-and-a-half length win over Hamartia.

The winner has been runner-up to Parmenion on his previous outing and Croke said: “He had a great run in Leopardstown and I thought coming here he’d jump those hurdles a little bit easier as he’s a big horse. He’ll be a lovely horse to go chasing with in time.

“Shane comes in to me a few days a week and will always meet me for schooling so I’ m delighted for him to ride the winner. We’ll see what the owner Brendan (Murphy) wants to do now.”

MICHAEL O’Sullivan was stood down after a fall from Zaidi in the race and Sean Flanagan came in for a winning ride on Slane Hill in the concluding beginners’ chase on the card.

Barry Connell’s charge went to post 5/2 favourite on his chasing debut and tracked the leaders before going to the front three from home.

The Shantou gelding took a chance at the second last but found plenty for pressure on the run-in to get the better of Clondaw Hollow by half a length.

“He’s a fine big horse, he has plenty of scope and the ground is beautiful out there,” said Connell.

“He disappointed us in Gowran the last day and I wasn’t sure what way he’d go today, but he had schooled great.

“He was a bit guessy at a few. He has so much scope that he was kind of getting too brave.

“Two out he stood outside the wings and then he landed on his head. I’d say it knocked the stuffing out of him, he went from travelling really well to having to chase after him.

“He seems to handle that ground lovely, and country tracks, so we’ll keep him on the go.”

In the other beginners’ chase on the card Elle Perfecta also made a winning start over the larger obstacles for Colm Murphy.

The Shirocco mare, owned by the Murphys Law Syndicate, jumped well and hit the front three from home in the two-mile-three mares’ event.

Brian Hayes only had to keep her going from the back of the last as the 3/1 shot posted a cosy three-and-a-half length win over Happy D’ex.

“She’s promised to be a nice filly,” said Murphy. “We’re delighted that she’s done that in the manner she’s done it and we’ll see what’s there for her now. We’ll keep her going for the summer.

“She seems to want that ground, we’ve tried her on softer and it doesn’t work.”