Trainer Gordon Elliott nominated the Dublin Racing Festival as the next stop for his Surin winner of the BetVictor Irish Racing Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, for jockey Jack Kennedy.

The daughter of Authorized was beaten half a length into second place by Gardens Of Babylon when the pair met at Punchestown on New Year's Eve but today reversed the placings over that rival, with a 5lbs weight advantage.

Approaching the final flight both Surin and Gardens Of Babylon raced clear of their rivals and while Gardens Of Babylon briefly looked the more likely winner on the run-in, Surin battled gamely for Kennedy and hit the line a nose ahead.

Elliott later said “I think she's a nice mare, she's still very green. Jack said he was probably in front plenty soon enough but he had to because we know she stays.

“When she was there she didn't know what to do and she ran around the place, she ran down the second last.

“I think there is still more improvement in her and there is probably only one place we can go now and that's go to Leopardstown for the Grade 1, all being well, and see what happens.”

Quotes by Gary Carson