Elliott & Gilligan snare another brace The first division of the Primal Performance & Fitness Maiden Hurdle saw 11/8 favourite New Year Honours score comfortably to give Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan a double on the day. The Nathaniel filly, a 1m4f all-weather winner for Ralph Beckett, had finished second on hurdles debut at Down Royal in November and was fitted with a tongue-tie for this first start since Christmas. Having tracked the leaders, she hit the front after the second-last and asserted before the last to beat Fermoyle by five and a half lengths. “On her run last year she was entitled to do that,” said Elliott. “She was good there, he said she took a blow and she'll come from it. “She's probably a filly that we could mix back on the Flat as well.” Quotes from Gary Carson
