Elliott is crowned trainer of the year

Elliott is crowned trainer of the year

22 October 2014

MEATH trainer Gordon Elliott picked up the trainer of the year award at Downpatrick on Friday where once again he tasted victory.

He saddled three winners, two of which were ridden by Paul Carberry who received a presentation as the most successful jockey at the track during 2014.

Carberry took the mount on Elliott’s Crown Theatre in the opening race on the card and produced the five-year-old with a perfectly timed run.

After clearing the second last flight, he raced clear of 7/2 chance Fearachain and Danny Mullins on the way to a four-and-a-half lengths win.

Outsider Somethingprecious gave jockey/trainer Danny Howard a great spin in the maiden hurdle, leading four out and racing with a fair bit of zest on her way to a clear-cut thirteen lengths success from Neil McKnight’s Better Back Bob in the hands of Robbie Colgan.

Robbie Hennessy’s Ultra Light scored a first track success in Ireland when dishing out an emphatic beating to rivals in the Mobile Handicap Hurdle.

The 5/1 chance hit the front under Andrew Lynch as they raced towards the second last fence and raced clear up the hill to have just over five lengths in hand of Adrian Heskin on runner-up Varene De Vauzelle with Adam O’Neill and Flying Bella taking third place for trainer Eoin Doyle.

Even money shot Kashline boosted the coffers of favourite backers when winning the beginners’ chase for Wexford trainer Colin Bowe.

After leading three out, the pair had Andrew Lynch and Ravished as company but Mouse Morris’ runner crashed out at the second last, leaving Walsh to saunter to a seven lengths success on the favourite.

Paul Carberry and Gordon Elliott combined for their second winners of the meeting when Formal Bid, runner-up to The King of Brega at Fairyhouse last time out, took the second of the beginners’ chases at a very tasty evens, having opened at 4/7 before drifting in the betting market.

Aaron Stronge’s Killinchy raider Shershewill took the runners-up berth at 7/1 with Ger Fox and Darwin’s Theory third for trainer John Queally.

Elliott scored his 16th winner of the year at Downpatrick and his third success of the day when Davy Russell steered 9/4 chance Luddsdenene to a very easy 12 lengths success in the handicap chase.

Russell was content to race in mid-division early on before easing to the head of affairs four out and sat motionless as the Beneficial gelding strolled up the hill for a twelve lengths success from Mick Darcy on Mia’s Anthem.

In the final race of the day Michael Hourigan and top amateur jockey Derek O’Connor joined forces to win the bumper on the well supported Drumacoo (5/1 to 9/4).

The pair challenged for the lead two furlongs out but veered left racing up the straight before latching on to the stands side rail and staying on impressively to defeat Elliott’s Miss North Light, who was recording another second place effort at Downpatrick under Nina Carberry.

Hourigan has the bigger obstacles in mind for his charge further down the line.

“He’s a nice one in the making and has the stamp of a chaser,” he said in the winner’s enclosure.