Donal Murphy
Caltex completes quick double for Elliott
Caltex and Jack Kennedy pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing
Caltex completed a quick double for Gordon Elliott, as he easily dismissed his seven rivals in the AJC Group Ladies Upstyle Hair Competition Win A Trip To Nice Beginners Chase.
A good second to Minella Beau at the Galway Festival, the French bred son of Network was expected to go one place better today, going off the 8/11 favourite in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
Prominent throughout under Jack Kennedy, the six-year-old victor led from five out and extended his advantage from the third last, going on to score easily by eighteen lengths. Celebrity Status (backed from 16s into 11s on-course) finished second under Ricky Doyle for Conor O'Dwyer, while Orion d'Aubrelle (7/4) was another seven and a half lengths back in third.
Elliott said: "He was entitled to do that on his Galway run.
"He is in at Doncaster Sales but I'm not sure whether he will go or not. We might hold onto him for another while, we'll see. He'll be kept going anyway.
"On his day he is good and he likes jumping a fence. Jack (Kennedy) said he jumped very well so we are very happy with him.
"Probably the easier the ground the better he is. He was good."
STEWARDS REPORT
P. Townend, rider of Orion D'Aubrelle (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished distressed.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham