3 minute read

Death Duty completed a Grade One treble on the day for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud with victory in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

With the formidable combination having already landed the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle with Mengli Khan and the Hatton's Grace Hurdle with Apple's Jade, Death Duty was the 8-11 favourite to extend his unbeaten record over fences to three in the hands of Davy Russell.

Each of the five novices jumped soundly in the main, with Death Duty leading the pack from flag-fall.

Rathvinden was right in his slipstream rounding the home turn, but Death Duty had too many guns and was well on top at the line.

Russell said: "You can do what you want on the likes of this horse. He's a good horse.

"He jumped very good today and Gordon was happy for me to do what I wanted.

"It's great to get the opportunity to ride these horses. Gordon is so good to us and spreads them out well.

"I'd say trip is variable with him. Where he'll go will be dictated by whether he stays sound."

Paying tribute to Elliott, the jockey added: " We talk about Willie (Mullins) and Willie is so good, he puts the benchmark so high for these trainers.

"I suppose Gordon is one reaching up for that mark. He's a fantastic trainer and a great man to ride for.

"Willie is an exceptional man, but today is Gordon's day and Gordon is the up and coming youth of the game, which is great to see.

"I'm on the way out and he's on the way in!"

Elliott said: "This is what it's all about. To train three Grade One winners in one day is unbelievable, it's something you dream about.

"Fairyhouse is one of my local tracks and it seems to be lucky for me. All the lads are here from the yard and my father is here and they'll all be delighted."

Of Death Duty, he added: "I might have been getting it wrong with him last year, saying he needed three miles.

"Davy said there today he's loads of speed. He's won another Grade One for us and we'll enjoy today and see what happens.

"He wouldn't be an Arkle horse, more JLT (Novices' Chase). To be fair he travelled over to Cheltenham last year and wasn't right and got very light over there. I probably shouldn't have run the horse, but thankfully he came back and showed how good he is today.

"Whether we go to Cheltenham or don't go to Cheltenham, I'll put the horses in the races they can win."