Mick Jazz hits right note for Elliott

Mick Jazz made a quick repayment on the 27,000 pounds he cost at Doncaster in August when justifying favouritism in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The five-year-old gelding showed plenty of promise in juvenile hurdles for Harry Fry but disappointed when joint favourite for the Greatwood Hurdle last year and had been absent since.

The French-bred was weak in the market (1/3 this morning) eventually going off the 9/10 favourite but travelled well to challenge two out.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding led before the last, and kept on well on the run-in under Barry Geraghty to beat Russellstown by two and three quarter lengths. Criminate could find no extra on the run-in a further length back in third.

Elliott said, "He's a grand horse and did it well. Barry said he was a bit rusty and a bit keen at times but he had good form as a juvenile so should win plenty of races and we'll have a bit of fun with him.

"He had been working well since we got him and hadn't given any trouble. He'll go for a handicap hurdle at Down Royal next week."

(TW & AM)