Elliott equals record score from last season

It's two now for Gigginstown House Stud and two for Gordon Elliott after three races at Downpatrick following Isodon s win in the Digita.Agency Handicap Hurdle.

Gigginstown had landed the preceding heat with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Game Of War whilst Elliott was off the mark in the opener with Percy

Blinkered first-time and coming here off a 114-day break the Katie O'Farrell-ridden Isodon got the better of A Place Apart by three parts of a length.

Elliott said afterwards: "He's been disappointing but we decided to take 7lbs off him and Katie gave him a good ride. She rides out one day a week for me.

"That levels us with 193 (winners) which was a record last year so hopefully we beat it today."

For her part Katie O'Farrell reported: "He found plenty up the hill. I wasn't sure how much I had left to be honest. He's a lazy sort of a horse so I just had to keep the revs up the whole way and see if he could stay it out and he did.

"I took a chance that the horse I came upsides (A Place Apart) was the fancied one and took a chance to try and outrun him and he battled it out well.

"That's my third winner for Gordon but my first winner for him this season."

The Stewards interviewed J.B. Kane, rider of A Place Apart, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that his arm was high and that he did not give his mount time to respond.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that J.B. Kane was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (g) in that he used his whip with his arm above shoulder height, and Regulation 10.4 in that he used his whip without giving his mount time to respond.

The Stewards cautioned J.B. Kane on this occasion having considered his record in this regard.

J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Lambs Lane trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the top of the hill.

(MG & EM)