After Gordon Elliott's domination of the festival at Down Royal last weekend (11 winners), the trainer looked to be continuing in the same vein at Navan's festival as he saddled three of the first four winners on the card.

In the Grade 3 Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle, What's Up Darling (15/8) led his stablemate, Dee Capo who ran in snatches, to the last but stepped at it and really opened the door to him. Sam Ewing soon got into the drive position along the far rail, but Dee Capo cut into the lead all the while on the run-in.

Just when it looked like Dee Capo would grab him, What's Up Darling strained for the line and took the first prize by a neck from the 11/8 favourite.

“He's a quick horse. He probably got racing a bit early but he won so it's great,” said Elliott.

“The other horse (Dee Capo) ran a serious race, Jack (Kennedy) said he tried to hang off the track on the far side. He probably gave away a lot of lengths.

“Jack said he thought he was going to pull him up, but when he straightened out he sprinted again. I had the one-two so I won't complain.”

When asked if the winner could go for the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, he added: “To be honest, it might come a bit quick.” Stellar Story (4/7f) and Fortunedefortunata (10/3f) comprised the first two legs of the treble, both ridden by Kennedy.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson