Moratorium completes Elliott double

Without a win since May 3rd, normal service was resumed for Gordon Elliott this evening.

Earlier on the mark at Leopardstown with Kuraka Elliott doubled-up with Moratorium in the last at Down Royal, the 4 Corners Sign-Print And Design Flat Race.

Second in a bumper at Wexford on St Patrick's Day, the Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding was sent off at 9/2 this evening with Lisa O'Neill in the saddle.

Prominent throughout, he was ridden from the two furlong pole and soon gained a marginal lead.

He drifted left inside the final furlong, but just done enough to hold off the late surge of Classic Concorde (20/1) by a neck.

The Pat Fahy trained runner-up was an unlucky loser. His rider Richie Deegan became unbalanced a furlong out and almost parted company with the five-year-old gelding. He was then squeezed for room by winner close home. The Abbey who was sent off the 4/1 favourite, finished another half a length back in third with Finian Maguire aboard for Kevin Prendergast.

Elliott said: "He's a big galloping horse so it's great. He'll go home now, he's a big winter horse.

"Lisa (O'Neill) is a great girl - she keeps them balanced and keeps them running.

"A double on the day. As everyone knows we didn't run any for two weeks and I think we are three or four days back running horses.

"We hit the crossbar with a few but we are back and rolling now.

"A few of the horses were coughing and we had to do the right thing by them. A lot of them are blowing up and needing the runs but we'll get back rolling.

"We've a quiet weekend but we'll get going next week."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed Mr R. Deegan, rider of Classic Concorde, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found Mr. R. Deegan in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and Regulation 10.3(g) in that he used the whip with his arm above shoulder height. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards suspended Mr. R. Deegan for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham