Four for Gordon Elliott at Punchestown

The prospects of the National Hunt trainers' title returning to the Royal County for the first time since Noel Meade last won the award came into focus today at Punchestown when Gordon Elliott completed a four-timer to extend his lead over current champion Willie Mullins.

Only one of the quartet was a Gigginstown runner and Elliott is now on the 66-winner mark ahead of Wille Mullins who is on 53.

In the prizemoney stakes Elliott is on €1,150,000 compared to €1,040,000 for Willie Mullins.

Each of Elliott’s winners were Zanjabeel (Mikey Fogarty), Fire In His Eyes (David Mullins), Baby Twig (Jamie Codd) and Cecil Corbett (Davy Russell).

Zanjabeel is a recent arrival from the flat in England and won the opening three-year-old hurdle after unseating the last day on a first outing for Elliott at Gowran Park two weeks ago.