Itswhatunitesus (Jamie Codd) rounds off a record breaking day for trainer Gordon Elliott© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott is no stranger to memorable days at Navan but he took it to a new level this afternoon with an incredible seven winners at the combined odds of 37,381/1 as Itswhatunitesus made an impressive debut in the bumper.
The Cullentra House trainer drew a blank in the opening maiden hurdle but proceeded to take all seven subsequent races with five different riders on the scoresheet.
Jamie Codd earlier deputised for Davy Russell, who sprained his wrist in a fall, on Ginto in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle and the top amateur was also aboard Itswhatunitesus.
The Walk In The Park gelding travelled smoothly to lead well over a furlong out and stayed on strongly up the hill to justify 10/11 favouritism.
Chief market rival Killer Mode could make no progress inside the final furlong finishing six lengths back in second, with Mount South a further length-and-a-quarter adrift in third.
Shane Fitzgerald rode a big handicap double aboard the Gigginstown pair Commander of Fleet and Conflated while Elliott’s other winners on the day were partnered by Jody McGarvey (Goffer), Denis O’Regan (Riviere D’etel) and Kevin Sexton, who also deputised for Russell on Farouk D’alene.
Elliott said, "That's great. He's a lovely horse and we won't do much more with him this year. We'll give him a break and we'll probably bring him back for Fairyhouse and leave it there. He's one for the future."
He reflected on a record breaking haul of seven winners at one Irish meeting saying: “It's been an unbelievable day to get seven winners at one track and at Navan as well, my local track.
"I love this place. It's probably the best racecourse in the world, never mind in Ireland. The best horses normally win and there are no excuses. I don't know what it is but our horses seem to like it here.
“This is special after the year we've had, it just shows what it means to the staff and all my owners and friends. You see the likes of Noel Meade clapping you in, they are your proper friends, I can't believe it.
“We're back doing what we love doing. We have a lot of young horses and as I've said before it's about rebuilding."
(GC & AM)
