Elliott saddles 1,000th winner with Moonday

Gordon Elliott reached a significant landmark when Moonday Sun swept past his rivals to take the two-mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown in fine style. Ballyoisin took the field along but had no answer when the Elliott-trained gelding powered to the lead heading to the final flight.

11/4 favourite Bobabout who had also moved up to challenge before the last, had to settle for second as he kept on the same pace in the closing stages to finish five lengths behind the 14/1 shot.

Moonday Sun, who was given a confident ride by Davy Russell, was making his second start for the Cullentra handler having been well held at Killarney a couple of weeks ago.

Elliott revealed after the race that is was his 1,000th career winner as a trainer:-

“He loved the ground. They went very fast in front and got tired which suited him.He'll go jumping a fence soon enough.

"That's my 1,000th winner between the Flat and jumps."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)