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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Elliott & Russell double-up with Changer

Fri 22nd Jun 2018, 19:23

The Game Changer (right) is ridden out to beat Flaxen FlareThe Game Changer (right) is ridden out to beat Flaxen Flare
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning the second with Boot Camp Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell and Gigginstown House Stud quickly doubled-up in the third, the www.thetote.com Hurdle, as The Game Changer got the better of stable mate Flaxen Flare

Outclassed on his last two starts at the Punchestown Festival in April, the son of Arcadio was sent off the 5/2 favourite this evening.

Settled behind the leaders, the now thirteen time winner was pushed along to challenge from three out.

He had a good battle with Flaxen Flare from the next, with just half a length separating them at the line.

The runner-up was returned at 3/1 under Barry Geraghty, while Chateau Conti (10/3) was another half a length back in third on his first start for Joseph O'Brien.

Elliott said afterwards: "We were worried about him staying but Davy gave him a good ride. Thankfully it all worked out grand.

"It's hard to place him like everyone of those horses in that race - that's why I ran four of them.

"He has the engine but he just needs that ground."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.